09/10/1992
APPEAL OF FALSE ALARM CITATION by Alexander Howard
September 10, 1992
10:00 AM
Present: Elizabeth Deptula, Assistant City Manager
Alexander Howard, Appellant
Milton A. Galbraith, Jr., City Attorney
Charlie Dunn, Police Officer
Holly M. Ausanio, Staff Assistant III
Ms. Deptula, Assistant City Manager called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m.
Ms. Deptula stated this is an appeal of a citation (#01507) issued to Mr. Alexander
Howard at 3436 Lakeshore Lane, Clearwater, Florida.
Mr. Howard stated after he received the citation, he inquired regarding an appeal and
was informed to first contact Officer Dunn. He told Officer Dunn he felt the thunder or lightning
from a storm set off the alarm. Officer Dunn said to get a report from the alarm company. Mr.
Howard obtained the report and left a copy at the police department for Officer Dunn.
Mr. Howard stated the voltage suppressor in the electrical box was damaged. Due to
the manufacturer being out of business, Mr. Howard got a replacement from Florida Power.
Having no further contact with Officer Dunn, Mr. Howard filed the appeal. He stated due to the
storm, it was out of his control. Mr. Howard referenced and submitted a report from his alarm
company dated September 9th informing him he needs to replace additional parts of the
system. Until this work is completed, the alarm will not be turned on. The alarm system has
sensitivity settings from two to eight, and one of his windows is set at a lower setting. Mr.
Howard stated his wife has been scared due to drug use in the neighborhood.
In response to questions, Mr. Howard stated the alarm company checked the system
after he replaced the voltage suppressor. He believes there was a power surge from the storm
because, afterwards, he had trouble putting in the alarm code, and lights were on in a display
case due to the surge.
Officer Dunn stated the alarm system is permitted. A courtesy warning was issued for
a false alarm occurrence on February 12, 1992 which was due to owner's error. The citation
issued was for a false alarm occurrence on July 17th. The officer's report stated it could have
been from the storm, prompting him to request a letter from the alarm company to that effect.
The letter he received indicated the alarm was activated due to lightning strikes and low
sensitivity settings on the windows. There was no reference to a short in the system.
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In response to questions, Officer Dunn stated if the system takes a direct hit by
lightning and is shorted out, that would be considered as caused by the storm. In response to
a question, Mr. Howard stated there have been more alarm instances. The system hasn't
been on, but it still beeps when set off; also a light that would be steady starts flashing. When
the replacement parts are received, the alarm company will repair the system.
Mr. Howard was informed that a decision would be issued within ten days of the
hearing.
The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
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