The Council changed the wording of the ordinance, no longer requiring every alarm owner to register.  Registration will be required only after the first false alarm incident.  The Council also decided not to require a $25 fee to register an alarm and that citizens that have already paid the $25 fee will receive a refund.
A police or fire alarm is deemed false if the responding units find no evidence of unauthorized intrusion, or attempted unauthorized intrusion, robbery or attempted robbery, evidence of fire or medical emergency. False alarms include accidental, avoidable, and unnecessary alarm activation due to user error, equipment malfunction, and improper or unsuited equipment.

Alarm users will still be required to obtain an Alarm System Permit to operate an alarm after the first false alarm incident.  When police or fire officials respond to a false alarm at a business or residence, the owner will be sent a written 30-day notice to obtain a permit.  After 30 days, a second false alarm will result in a $100 fine for not having the permit.  Alarm permits can be obtained online at the City’s website at http://www.durhamnc.gov/council/false_alarm.cfm or by contacting the City’s Business License Office at (919) 560-4700.

Any company installing alarms must also be registered with the City of Durham.  Installation companies that fail to register with the City will receive a $100 fine.  This registration will require that the installation company hold a state license.

The penalties are applied by the calendar year and are as follows:
·         1st and 2nd false alarm                             Written notice
·         3rd and 4th false alarm                             $100 each
·         5th and 6th false alarm                             $150 each
·         7th and 8th false alarm                             $200 each
·         9th false alarm                                            $250 each
·         10th and each false alarm thereafter      $300 each

Also effective January 1, 2006, it will also be unlawful for any residence or business to have an automatic alarm transmitting directly to 911, the Durham Emergency Communications Center (DECC), or to the Police or Fire Department.  Any business or residence currently using such an automatic dialing device will be required to disconnect that system.  After January 1, 2006, DECC will not respond to any alarm unless it first goes through a monitoring service.

The City encourages alarm system users to have their systems inspected, repaired or replaced if necessary.  For more information about this new ordinance, contact Durham One Call at (919) 560-1200.

The video explains:

• How to recognize signs of bed bugs
• How to inspect for bed bugs
• The main ways bed bugs infest homes
• How to keep bed bugs out of your home
• What to do if you see signs of bed bugs

Here is the video in 4 languages.

English: http://youtu.be/lcxXAppQ3oo

Jarai: http://youtu.be/lEzZ_g_c8mc

Korean: http://youtu.be/0Zwk4lsZEAg

Spanish: http://youtu.be/VABmjrOco8g

Bed bug infestations are not going away anytime soon, by educating your residents we hope to reduce the spread of infestations and the costs associated with treatment. CLICK for many other Bed Bug Resources and Tips.

The parade first began in the Research Triangle in 1983 when several Irish-Americans decided to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by marching down Wilmington Street. Enjoyed so much by the residents and shoppers of downtown Raleigh, the parade was organized again over the following years until it became an annual fixture. From 1983, Raleigh’s Friends of Ireland (FOI) took over hosting the parade until 2000, when an independent Raleigh Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee was formed with the sole purpose of running the event.

The St. Patrick’s Day parade is a great event inform your communities about if you are a Triangle Apartment Association (TAA) member in the Research Triangle.  If you are looking to arrive earlier, start with the Wearin’ O’ the Green Festival from 10:00 AM where you will find a variety of food, beverage and entertainment options on offer for all the family.

Image: Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day