LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- The city of Little Rock is looking to cut down on false alarm activations because city officials are concerned that time and resources are being wasted. The city's Communication Center receives 35,000 alarm calls per year, and 95 percent of those are false alarms.
"Based on our standards, it's going to be a red priority," said Lt. Steve McClanahan. "It's a top priority call for Little Rock Police Department. "A red call means that it requires a two-officer response."
The city is concerned that resources from LRPD and LRFD are wasted when this happens. So along with the Public Safety Corporation, they've come up with the False Alarm Reduction Program (FARP). In short, after three or more false alarms per year, homeowners and business owners will need to pay anywhere between $25 and $500 per violation.
"People will stop using their alarms," said Pamela Butler, War Memorial Neighborhood Association President. "I think after that first or second time, people will turn them off to prevent that fine after they've been threatened once or twice and that will be the issue is that people will stop using them."
McClanahan said it could be anything that sets that alarm off from a dog, to a child, to the smallest of movements.
"If it's a motion sensor, it will set the alarm off," he said.
But both he and Butler agree continuing to use a home alarm system is still certainly worth risking the fine.
"I feel like my kids are safer, I feel like my family is safer," Butler said.
Starting in October, alarm users will be able to register alarm permits online free of charge. You can register here.
