January 7, 2009 :: Business

False Burglar Alarms Will Now Cost You

In the past, businesses were governed by the three strikes and your out system when it came to fines for false burglar alarms.  Those days are over.  In an effort questioned by many as simply a quick way to generate some cash for the City of Chicago, the first time a business experiences a false alarm with their warning system they will be fined $100.

A mass mailing informed business owners of the policy change which the city is promoting as a way for businesses to ensure their systems are working properly.

Residential burglar alarms are exempt from the new ordinance and a $34 annual fee on business alarms has been waved.  False alarms caused by high wind, other weather occurrences or testing by licensed specialists can be contested.