“False alarm” means an alarm signal activated through subscriber negligence or for reasons not of an emergency nature or when activated due to malfunction of any segment of the alarm system and which necessitates response by the Hawthorne police or fire department where an emergency situation does not exist.
False alarm count is during July 1 – June 30th permit period.
| False Alarm Count | Fee |
| 1st and 2nd False Alarms | No Charge |
| 3rd False Alarm | $70.00 |
| 4th False Alarm | $139.00 |
| 5th False Alarm and Above | $349.00 |
Late Fees
30 Days Past Due 25% of original balance due
60 Days Past Due 50% of original balance due
90 Days Past Due 100% of original balance due
Exceptions: No charge shall be assessed for false alarms occasioned by disaster, power failure or other causes clearly not within the control of the permittee. No charge shall be made for a false alarm occasioned by an alarm company or subscriber testing, provided that the police or fire department has been notified before and after completion of said test. No charge will be assessed for false alarms that occur within thirty days from the date when the alarm system was originally installed and became operational. The permitted may still be charged for the costs of disconnecting a burglary or robbery alarm deemed a nuisance.
APPEALING A FALSE ALARM RESPONSE CHARGE
*Submit a written request/statement as to why you feel the charge and/or occurrence should be waived or removed from your account, along with any supporting documentation (police reports, alarm company documentation, etc)
*Submit via email using the contact us page or via email.
*Be sure to include Permit #, alarm location address, and incident date(s) in question.
*Submit within fifteen (15) calendar days of the notice imposing the charge.