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Where can I get a copy of the Alarm Ordinance?
You can obtain a printed copy by selecting the following link: False Alarm Ordinance. The City of Greenville is urging everyone in the city who has an alarm to apply for an alarm permit who has not done so. The City Council, in an effort to reduce the number of false alarms, passed an ordinance requiring anyone with an alarm (businesses and residences) to have a permit. The law, which went into effect October 1, 2007, also spells out stiff penalties for those who do not have a permit.
“The purpose of the permit is to encourage alarm users to properly use and maintain the operational effectiveness of their systems so as to reduce or eliminate false alarms,” said Assistant City Attorney Bill Little. “False alarms unnecessarily consume officer time, waste fuel, increase the risk of accidents and, over time, reduce the quality of police service to other areas with a greater need for officer presence.”
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What is the Alarm School?
In lieu of paying one false alarm fine, you may opt to attend the Alarm School. The Alarm School consists of online reading material and a quiz. The reading material covers the basics of the alarm ordinance and methods to reduce or prevent false alarms. The quiz consists of questions taken directly from the reading material. To attend the Alarm School, login to your account at the Alarm User website and follow the link to Alarm School. Hint: If your location is prone to false alarms, then go over the reading material first without taking the quiz. Once you have corrected the problems causing false alarms at your location, take the quiz to remove the highest costing fine on your account.
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I have moved from one local address to another, can I still use the same permit number?
No. Each permit is site and owner specific. If you move, you need a new permit. Keep in mind that all old permits need to be closed. If you happen to sell an address (business or house) with an installed alarm system, you cannot transfer the permit number to the new owner (even if they are going to use the same alarm company).
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I have moved out of the city/county/state, how can I close my account?
If you no longer own, rent, or are held responsible for the address you had a permit for, we encourage you to notify us in writing that you wish to close the permit account. The written letter can be mailed to:
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Greenville False Alarm Reduction Unit
Greenville Police Department
PO Box 7207
Greenville, NC 27835-7207
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Can I appeal a false alarm?
You may appeal any false alarm notification you receive. Alarm users should use the appeal guidelines as a reference to determine what is considered a false alarm. A good rule of thumb is to determine if criminal activity has occurred and not whose fault it might have been.
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Where does the money go that is collected from false alarm fines?
The money collected from false alarm fines goes to the City of Greenville and pays for the cost of the program.
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I received a false alarm notification in the mail, but the officer didn't leave a sticker. How can I be sure they arrived?
The false alarm notification sticker is a courtesy to you. The letter is the official notification that your alarm was activated and the police arrived at your address.
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I received an alarm notification sticker on my door/window, what does this mean?
That false alarm notification sticker was left as a courtesy informing you of a false alarm at your address. A letter will be mailed to you stating the nature of the response by the police officer. An invoice will be mailed to you if you are being charged a fine for the false alarm. You may elect to contact your alarm company to determine what happened and if a problem exists with your alarm system.
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I lost my permit number, how can I get another one?
You do not need another permit number unless you have changed addresses. We will provide you with your specific permit number if you contact us by phone or in writing with your request.
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What do I do with the permit once I receive one?
You will not receive an actual physical permit. You will receive a letter notifying you of your permit number. The alarm permit number is specific to you at that address.
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How do I obtain a permit?
You may have been given an application by your alarm company, but you may also download a copy from this website. Applications may also be picked up from the Greenville Police Department at 500 S Greene St., Greenville, NC 27835-7207
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Who needs an alarm permit?
Anyone possessing a burglar alarm system, device, or assembly of equipment designed to signal the occurrence of an illegal or unauthorized entry or other activity requiring immediate attention and to which the Greenville Police Department is expected to respond. This does not include alarms installed in motor vehicles, fire alarms, or alarms designed to elicit a medical response.
