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Council moves to amend false‑alarm fees; first commercial alarm to be a warning, second $50, third $100
Summary
Fire Chief Brian Alker told the council the proposed edits to the alarm ordinance clarify fire‑alarm systems and change the false‑alarm fee schedule so the first commercial alarm is a warning, the second costs $50 and the third $100; council approved the measure 7–0 on first reading.
The council heard a presentation from Fire Chief Brian Alker (speaker 8) on proposed amendments to Chapter 11.03 of the Lafayette City Code to address false alarms and to distinguish fire alarm systems from other alarm types. Chief Alker said the principal change revises the fee schedule for commercial alarms: the first incident would be a free warning, the second incident would carry a $50 fee, and the third would be $100.
Alker emphasized the change is intended to avoid discouraging businesses from installing life‑saving fire alarms while reducing repeat false alarms and operational strain on the fire department. He said residential smoke alarms tied to security systems are not subject to the fees, and the fire department will move to a third‑party collection approach consistent with police practice. Council approved the ordinance on a roll‑call vote, 7–0.
