$100 Fine for False Alarms

Owners of home security systems in Hermosa Beach will have to pay the city a $100 fine if they have more than three false alarms in the same fiscal year.

The measure, adopted Tuesday by the City Council, is similar to ordinances in other cities. It becomes effective May 25 and continues an earlier requirement that alarm system owners obtain permits from the city.

In proposing the ordinance, Public Safety Director Steve Wisniewski said that between 95% and 99% of alarm calls are false. He said the problem is draining police resources and worsening as more people install alarms in response to growing fear of crime.