FONTANA--Burglar alarms have become more of a hindrance than a help to police who are growing weary of responding to false alarms.

The City Council meets Tuesday evening to adopt an ordinance that opponents claim would prohibit burglar alarm monitoring unless verified by ‘live’ video or audio.

The Inland Empire Alarm Association says the ordinance is the “most extreme of its kind” ever created in the nation.

The association’s vice-president Morgan Hertel says there’s a simple solution.

“Middle ground could involve a model ordinance that’s been adopted by thousands of communities across the United States that allows for alarm users to co-exist and alarm abusers to be fined accordingly.”

There are about 15,000 home and business alarm systems in use in Fontana.

Story Date: August 27, 2008