Starting July 1, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office will begin enforcing a new county alarm ordinance approved by the Pinellas Board of County Commissioners earlier this year.
Home and business owners in unincorporated Pinellas County and in the 12 contract cities need to register their alarm systems with the Sheriff’s Alarm Registration Program or SHARP by July 1.
There is no fee to register a home or business alarm system.
Alarm subscribers can register on line on the Pinellas County Sheriff's Web site, www.pcsoweb.com, click on the "SHARP" icon.
Registration forms have also been distributed to the Sheriff's Administration Building on Ulmerton Rd., the Sheriff's North District Station in Dunedin, the city halls of the 12 listed contract cities, and the Pinellas County Courthouse in downtown Clearwater.
Alarm subscribers registered with SHARP receive two free passes if they experience two false alarms during the year. After the two free passes, they are subject to a fine schedule ranging from $75 per false alarm up to $500 per false alarm.
Subscribers who do not register with SHARP do not receive any free passes for false alarms and are subject to a much steeper fine schedule, ranging from $175 per alarm up to $600 per alarm.
The Sheriff's Crime Prevention Unit will manage "SHARP". For more information, call Sgt. Larry Nalven at (727) 582-2870 or email sharp@pcsonet.com.
