Chief Jennings told the Board of Aldermen Thursday that the police department has rewritten the city’s alarm ordinance and will bring the draft forward at the regular meeting. The draft removes a previous $1 alarm registration requirement and increases fines for repeated false alarms: a $50 fine after the third false alarm and $75 after the eleventh. The chief said many false alarms recently have originated at businesses and that the changes aim to reduce avoidable emergency responses and protect officer safety.

The chief also described work on an event‑permit process and a modest base permit fee. Staff propose that the permit application include a box for whether police presence is needed and give the police department authority to require officers when safety considerations warrant it. The department said it will seek overtime reimbursement for officers called in to work events, noting that some events that check “no police presence needed” nevertheless require traffic or crowd control.

On animal control, Jennings reported that since responsibility moved under the police department, there were 11 calls in the city and 14 in the county last month; the shelter currently holds 48 dogs and had six adoptions last month. The department said it is partnering with Horse Plus in Hohenmoint (Tenn.) for overflow transfers, transported 10 animals recently and plans additional transfers, and is developing a trap‑neuter‑release and education program for feral cats. Jennings said the department will not house feral cats long‑term until suitable facilities are available and stressed community education as the first response.

Staffing and permits: Jennings said the department is “fully staffed” except for one officer who resigned for a family opportunity; interviews for the vacancy are set. He also noted two officers recently graduated from a training academy and are assigned to midnight shift.

Next steps: the alarm ordinance and proposed permit fee language will be placed on the council agenda for formal consideration.