SPOKANE -- Fines imposed by the City of Spokane have cut false alarms on security systems by more than half.

KREM.com

Spokane fines for false alarms; $75 for residences, $150 for businesses.

Nine months ago the city began imposing fines on false security alarms; $75 for residences, and $150 for businesses. Spokane Police respond to almost 20 false alarms every day. In 2005, officers responded to 7,000 false alarms, and 6,900 were false. That can cost the department $800,000 a year in wasted time and resources.

"False alarms are dangerous to the police officers and the public because they drive to these false alarms presumably as a felony in progress," says Spokane Police Lieutenant Glenn Winkey. "It [can be] as simple as if someone gets a helium balloon bouquet and leaves in on their desk overnight."

The number of false alarms dropped nearly two-thirds; from 580 a month to 210 a month after the fines. Lt. Winkey says that's because homeowners and business owners are troubleshooting their systems now that they know they will have to pay.

Robin Ball owns Sharp Shooting Range in Spokane. She worries businesses like hers with properly-working alarm systems won't be overlooked if there is a real emergency. Since the fines were imposed, officers have stopped responding to only three businesses because of routine false alarms. Officers say it would have to be an extreme case to stop responding.