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Board updates alarm ordinance, shifts review authority to sheriff and removes court review
Summary
At a public hearing the board approved an update to the county's security alarm ordinance to modernize definitions, move enforcement to the sheriff's alarm-review authority and let appeals proceed administratively rather than through the court; the measure passed unanimously.
The county adopted an update to Charlotte County’s security alarm systems ordinance March 25, moving the administrative review and fines for repeated false alarms out of the court system and into an alarm-review authority housed with the sheriff’s office.
Terry Cochran spoke on behalf of Sheriff Pramello, saying technology and alarm use have changed since the ordinance was last updated. Cochran said last year the sheriff’s office responded to about 4,098 alarm calls, nearly half involving businesses, and noted that forgiveness provisions remain for initial false alarms if alarm owners improve systems. He said the ordinance’s goal is to reduce false calls so deputies are used efficiently.
Public comment included a small-business perspective urging caution around criminal penalties for false alarms. Jeff Lustig told the board he supports moving appeals to the sheriff’s office to reduce court load and questioned excessive criminal sanctions for business managers.
The board closed public comment and approved the ordinance at the hearing. Staff and the sheriff’s office said the alarm coordinator position will continue to handle operational workload and a review board with lieutenant/district commander representatives will administer appeals and enforcement.
Provenance: Presentation by Terry Cochran representing the sheriff (S1), public comment from Jeff Lustig, and the ordinance-reading and unanimous vote in the public hearing.
