New Haven alarmed by new ordinance

New Haven, Conn. (WTNH) - A lot of people in New Haven have house alarms but apparently a new alarm ordinance says it has to be registered with police.

There are about 8,000 businesses and homes with alarm systems in the city but as of the deadline to register, only 1,000 had done so.

Police say there will be a two week grace period. But as of March 1st, the department will be issuing fines.

Hull's Hobbies has had an alarm system for years but only once did a moving balloon cause a false alarm.

"In the summer time the heat would make it move and the sensor would pick that up so we fixed that," said Cramer of Hull's.

Soon the city will be cracking down on false alarms in either a business or home; a new ordinance requires people to fill out this form registering their system with the police department.

Fines for repeated false alarms are also going up; an effort by the police department to cut down on the nearly 12,000 alarms responded to each year.

"[As many as] 96 percent are at a minimum false so its sending officers to chase ghosts," said Officer Joe Avery of the New Haven Police Department.

While the first false alarm is free, if you haven't registered your system you can still be slapped with a $99 fine.

Here's the breakdown: the first false alarm is free, the second time will cost you $75, the third time $150 and fourth [and subsequent] $250.

"With this alarm system they are going to have to make sure they maintain their alarm systems very well," said Officer Avery.

"If after the first time you don't fix it, shame on you," Cramer said.

The city is planning an education program to help homeowners prevent false alarms; the registration forms are available online or at police headquarters.