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Crow Wing County commissioners repeal county alarm ordinance after sheriff's office asks for withdrawal
Summary
The Crow Wing County Board voted to repeal the county alarm ordinance after the sheriff's office said the rule no longer serves a public purpose and that deputies will continue to respond to alarm calls.
The Crow Wing County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to repeal the county alarm ordinance after a representative of the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office said the long‑standing rule is no longer serving a public purpose.
Gina Elder, speaking for the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office, told the board the county has enforced an alarm registration and false‑alarm charge regime in various forms since 1988 but that the office no longer believes the ordinance is worthwhile. “We’re gonna respond to your alarm at all times,” Elder said, “and we will do whatever we can to help you secure your family and your property.”
The motion to open a public hearing on the ordinance was made by Commissioner Coring and seconded by Commissioner Franzen; no members of the public spoke at the hearing. After the hearing, Commissioner Franzen moved to repeal “Alarm Ordinance number 14 0 1” (as stated in the meeting), a motion seconded by Commissioner Lubke. Roll call votes recorded all commissioners present voting aye and the motion to repeal passed.
Nut graf: The sheriff’s office asked the board to withdraw the ordinance, saying registration rates have declined and that technological changes have reduced the need for a regulatory registration program that penalized false alarms. The board’s repeal means the county will no longer require registration under the cited ordinance; the sheriff’s office confirmed it will continue to respond to alarms.
Board discussion and hearing: Elder summarized the ordinance’s history, noting revisions in 1996, 2007 and 2014 and saying the ordinance originally aimed to charge for false alarms. She told commissioners the sheriff’s administration, with the sheriff’s support, concluded the ordinance “is not serving a public purpose” and asked the board to withdraw it so citizens would not feel deterred from calling in alarms. No public commenters spoke during the public hearing. Commissioners did not record additional conditions or follow‑up direction in the meeting minutes beyond the repeal vote.
Votes at a glance: The board first voted to open the public hearing (motion by Commissioner Coring, second by Commissioner Franzen; roll call: all aye). Later, the board voted to repeal the alarm ordinance (motion by Commissioner Franzen, second by Commissioner Lubke; roll call: all aye).
