Alarm Enforcement Regulations

Public Notice

Contact:
Officer Ken Hamilton
Phone: (256) 341-4709
Fax: (256) 341-4663

The Decatur City Council passed Ordinance Number 2000-3587 in April of 2000. The Ordinance covers the registration of alarm systems and false alarms.

The Ordinance states in part that it shall be unlawful for any person who has not obtained a Security Alarm Permit for their premises to operate a security system.

The Ordinance states that a registration fee of $25.00 will be required for all alarm systems installed after April of 2000.

The Decatur Police Department has not charged for this service. A grace period was granted from April through September 30, 2000 for all alarm holders to register their alarm systems at no cost. This grace period will end October 1, 2000.

All alarm holders that have not registered their alarm system by October 1, 2000 will be subject to a $100.00 fine plus alarm permit application fee for the first offense when their alarm system generates a response from Decatur Police or Decatur Fire Department.

All alarm holders whose system has generated two or more false alarms since June 1, 2000 will be sent courtesy notices or warning letters. Fees and fines will be issued for excessive false alarms.

Decatur Police and Fire average 577 alarm calls per month with 98% being false.† False alarms are costly and dangerous because they divert police and fire officers from calls, which may be real emergencies.

It is Decatur Police and Fire Departments goal to promote the effective and responsible use of electronic security and life safety systems, including reducing false dispatches to a minimum.