City crafts plan to deal with false alarms

In addressing an ongoing challenge for first responders, Whitefish has adopted a new law that aims to hold property owners and businesses accountable for false security and fire alarms.

According to Police Chief Bill Dial, there were 124 false fire alarms and 285 false burglar alarms in Whitefish last year. Some businesses and residences will have 10 or more false alarms a year, he said.

“There is no way a first responder can determine if an alarm is false without going to the residence or business,” Dial said.

“Routinely answering false alarms can lead to an officer or fire fighter letting their guard down and being injured or killed. Additionally, answering false alarms is a waste of resources.”

The new law sets out a proposed fee schedule for when emergency crews respond to a false alarm.

There is no charge for a single false alarm in a running year.

After a second false alarm in a year, a property owner will be required to provide a certificate verifying the security system has been inspected and is properly working.

A third and subsequent false alarm in a year will result in a fine. Proposed fine amounts are $50 for a fourth false alarm response, and $300 for a fifth and subsequent false alarm response.

Also part of the new law, alarm companies will be required to register with the city and pay a proposed one-time $100 license fee.

Property owners also will be required to register their security systems and pay a proposed one-time $25 registration fee.

Council will discuss the proposed fee and fine schedule at its next meeting.