Warren to fine for false alarms - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

WARREN, Ohio - We've all heard about the boy who cried wolf. Well, that story is becoming something of a problem for Warren city police officers.

So far this year, Warren police have answered well over two thousand alarm calls that were false alarms. In fact, the police chief says 98% of all their alarm calls are false alarms.

He is asking city council to draft legislation to charge a fine for places that routinely have these false alarms.

One council member says false alarms take police away from where they are really needed. Vincent Flask, Warren City Councilman, says, "I know for certain there are times when they are on an alarm drop that they could be responding to other calls. Our officer's work hard they go from call to call. It's just one more call they aren't getting to in a timely fashion."

Chief Tim Bowers says, "If we could eliminate these false alarm calls or keep them under control then we have more manpower to answer real calls instead of chasing around false ones."

The false alarms are not only hazardous to the safety of residents, but to the officers themselves. It's the "cry wolf" effect.

Flask says, "Ninety eight percent of the alarm calls they go on are false alarms. A lot of times they show up expecting it to be false alarms and they're not fully ready."

Chief Bowers suggests a fine for three false alarm calls a year. "After I come to your house three times for a false alarms and I can't find a reason for the alarm going off, you need to contact your vendor and have them fix it. If it's human error, you need training to stop doing that. After that, we're going to fine you to make sure you don't do it."

Bowers says he found a company that can keep track of all the calls and fine businesses or homeowners when it becomes necessary. He says the fines would pay for that service and cost the city nothing.

He plans to meet with council and the law director soon to help draft legislation and come up with a dollar figure on what the fines should be.