Jackson Proposing Punishments For Excessive False Alarms
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JACKSON, Tenn.– Mayor Jerry Gist wants to put an end to false alarms in the City of Jackson. The City of Jackson Council will be asked next month to adopt a new “False Alarm Ordinance” which will reduce the number of false alarms activated by home and business security systems. “I can tell you many of them are repetitive some of the same people same businesses and really feel like its just a matter of educating our users as to how to properly use alarms,” said Mayor Gist. According to Mayor Gist the Jackson Police Department has responded more than 8,000 alarm calls in 2011 and 99% of them were false. A total of $159,840 has been spent on false alarms by the Jackson Police Department. Mayor Gist says false alarms are a waste of time and money. If the ordinance is implemented, alarm users could be fined for false alarms. After two false alarms, a fine of $25 will be assessed. Jackson resident Niecy Pearson said that price is high,”We’re already having a hard time trying to survive and to charge a extra $25 after the third time your alarm system goes off.” Pearson said her alarm goes off by mistake all the time. “With my grandchildren mine has already went off twice in the last two weeks so that’s what I’m basing it on,” said Pearson. The mayor hopes by reducing false alarm calls police officers will be better used to combat crime in the area. He says dispatch will continue to answer every call and said none of them will go unanswered.
