The Gwinnett County Police Department is instating a false alarm reduction system, and every household operating a security alarm system is required to register for an alarm permit with the county.
The Gwinnett County government has contracted with CryWolf, from CentralSquare Technologies, to provide administrative and online services related to security alarm management.
According to the Gwinnett County Police Department, in 2020, officers responded to approximately 22,450 alarm calls, and only 163 of those were true alarms and emergencies.
The county’s code of ordinances stipulates security alarm systems must be registered with the Gwinnett Police Department, and residents have until July 1 to complete that registration. Failure to register can result in an additional $25 fee for each false alarm.
As part of this transition, all households that operate a security alarm system, including those previously registered, are required to submit a new registration form. Registration can be completed online here, by phone at 833-281-8743 or by downloading a paper registration form and sending it by mail. The mailing address for the alarm program is P.O. Box 745856, Atlanta, GA 30374-5856.
Fees for false alarms will be assessed as follows:
- First response — No fee
- Second response — $25 fee
- Third response — $50 fee
- Fourth response and each subsequent response — $100 fee and alarm registration can be revoked
Additional fees include $25 for each false alarm for households operating an unregistered security alarm system and for each false alarm when operating an alarm system for which the registration has been revoked. A $100 reinstatement fee will be charged for revoked registrations.
Further, violating or failing to comply with any provision of the alarm systems article can result in a fine not to exceed $500 and jail time not to exceed 60 days.
For tips on how to prevent false alarms, click here.
