Feb. 1 Deadline for Atlantans to Register Alarm Systems

Patch Staff Report

This past September, the City of Atlanta's False Alarm Ordinance went into effect. 

City of Atlanta residents and businesses are now required to register their alarm systems. In 2012, the Atlanta Police Department responded to 65,000 alarm system activations, 95 percent of which were false alarms or alarms that were cancelled en route. 

This represents more than six percent of total 911 dispatches. This is the equivalent of 8-12 full-time police officers who were dedicated to responding to false alarms, thereby taking away valuable public safety resources from more pressing matters. On average, every false alarm trip takes 20-30 minutes.

In an effort to improve public safety and redirect limited resources, the City enacted a series of amendments to the existing False Alarm Ordinance. The new ordinance took effect on September 15, 2013 and residents will have until Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014 to register without incurring an unregistered alarm penalty.  

After February 1st, false alarm calls from an unregistered alarm system will result in a $150 fine. 

Residents can register their alarm system for free online at https://www.crywolf.us/atlantaga/ or by calling 1-855-725-7102.   

If a registered alarm is activated and it turns out to be false, there is no fine, just a warning. The 2nd false alarm will result in a $50 fine to the homeowner. Fines will escalate for each false call thereafter.