Heather Wright/The Independent

Lambton OPP is hoping a new bylaw will help reduce the number of false alarm calls to business.

Recently both Petrolia and Dawn-Euphemia passed a bylaw which places fines on businesses which have persistant false alarms because their system is in disrepair. The first false alarm would come with a warning. But after that the fines range from $250 to $1,400, depending on the number of times officers are called to the same address.

In her report to council, Director of Legal Services in Petrolia, Mandi Pearson – who also serves as the secretary of the Lambton Police Group secretary – says false alarms are becoming an issue. It’s asking all member municipalities to enact the bylaw.

“There was an example of a business in town that the department was called out to five (5) times within a couple of days, all for false alarms.

While this business owner has received education and warnings, the electronic
deficiency with the alarm system continues to go unrepaired,” she said.

Pearson added; “Education and warning will be the first step in requesting compliance to residents.”

The bylaw allows the OPP to suspend service to a business with an alarm system if it is not fixed by the sixth false alarm. Petrolia Councillor Chad Hyatt questioned the need for the extraordinary step.

Pearson writes “it is not anticipated that any business or homeowner would reach the step.”

The Petrolia/North Enniskillen fire department will also have fines for nuisance false alarms. Pearson says when the department is responding to frequent false alarms, other calls may face delays for service.

The fire department fines also kick in after the second false alarm of the year. The first fine is seet at $586.86 per truck which responds. By the fifth false alarm, the tab rises to $2,347.44 per truck.