Alarm Control Ordinance

In September of 1997, a new Polk County Alarm Control Ordinance went into effect that allows the County Court to impose a fine against businesses and home owners for False Alarms. The ordinance was designed to minimize the number of false alarms and help offset the cost of deputy response to false alarms. The ordinance places responsibility on the alarm user to prevent false alarms.  

All residents and businesses within unincorporated Polk County are subject to this ordinance.  According to the ordinance, alarm users who allow more than two false alarms within a year (consecutive 365-day period) will be subject to fines. The “alarm user” is the person, business or other entity who owns, leases or occupies the premises in which the alarm system is installed. The amount of the fine will be determined by the number of false alarms a user has had within the last year (364 days) prior to the most recent false alarm. Also according to the ordinance, a Burglar Alarm System must be equipped with: a back-up supply in the event of a power failure; and a device that automatically silences the alarm within 15 minutes after activation.

A false alarm occurs when the alarm system is activated and the Sheriff's Office responds, but there is no evidence of criminal activity (or the reasonable threat of criminal activity), unauthorized entry or any other emergency that would require the services of the Sheriff's Office. This includes signals activated by accident, negligence, mechanical failure, electrical failure, signals activated intentionally in non- emergency situations and signals for which the actual cause of activation is unknown. An alarm is considered false if responding Sheriff's Office personnel follow normal operating procedures and find no evidence of an unauthorized entry, criminal activity (or reasonable threat of), or other emergency. Each false alarm is a separate violation of the ordinance and shall be fined as follows:

• First False Alarm in 365 days - No Charge
• Second False Alarm in 365 days - No Charge
• Third False Alarm in 365 days - $50 fine
• Fourth False Alarm in 365 days - $75 fine
• Fifth False Alarm in 365 days - $100 fine
• Sixth False Alarm in 365 days - $150 fine
• Seventh False Alarm in 365 days - $200 fine
• Eighth False Alarm in 365 days - $300 fine
• Ninth False Alarm in 365 days - $400 fine
• Tenth+ False Alarm in 365 days - $500 fine

The ordinance prohibits the use of Automatic Alarm Communication Systems, described as any automatic communication device or automatic telephone dialing alarm system that once activated automatically transmits a recorded message or coded signal to a Fire Services or Sheriff's Office telephone line. Failure to disconnect an Automatic Alarm Communication System (within 72 hours of notice to do so) is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable as provided in Chapter 775, Florida Statutes.

It is the responsibility of the alarm owner to monitor false alarms on his/her premises. In the event of an alarm, the Sheriff’s Office will request that the alarm user or keyholder (person authorized to enter premises to allow Sheriff’s Office to investigate alarm) respond to the scene. Failure to respond to the scene will result in the alarm user being fined $50. Failure of an alarm user or keyholder to respond to the scene within 45 minutes of notification (without good cause) also shall result in a $50 fine.

• Make sure everyone in your home or business knows how to manually operate the alarm system and what to do if the alarm is accidentally set off.
• Before you turn on your alarm, make sure all doors and windows are closed and locked.
• Test your alarm system at least once a month to make sure it is working properly. Call your alarm company for immediate service if you think your system is not working properly.
• When testing your alarm, don’t forget to notify the alarm monitoring company.
• Keep pets out of rooms with motion sensors. Also make sure these rooms are free of anything else that could activate the system.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Alarm Control Compliance Officer
455 North Broadway Avenue
Bartow, FL 33830
863 534-6614