Taxpayers Foot The Bill For False Alarms

CENTRAL OHIO -- Security alarms screech into the night, but when police arrive, there’s no crime. You may be the one footing the bill.

NBC 4 got answers on why some false alarm fees aren't being paid.

By the city of Columbus' count, African Auto Sales and Body Shop on East Hudson Street had 33 false-alarm calls in 12 months.

In fact, African Auto owes more money for false alarms than any other Columbus business: $30,700.

It's a staggering amount for a company that nearly went out of business last year.

The owners said they couldn't afford it -- even if they wanted to pay -- but they don't think they should be charged in the first place.

“It's not fair. It's not fair, and nobody's going to stay in there and wait until the police,” co-owner Hamza Mohamed said.

Mohamed said thieves constantly target the business, sneaking in to steal tire rims and costly car parts, including more than 30 catalytic converters.

By the time police respond, though, the thieves are gone, and the police bill them as much as $800 for each false alarm.

“We've tried to schedule hearings for these folks. They didn't respond so we have no choice but to turn that over to a collections agency,” said Sharon Gadd. Gadd is the license manager for the city’s department of public safety.

Gadd told NBC 4 the city is willing to dismiss false-alarm charges if there's a good reason and documentation such as a police report for an attempted break-in.

African Auto has not been filing that documentation, and Gadd said the owners have made it worse by ignoring the fees, leading to extra debt-collection charges.

“They do not get out of paying by just simply not responding,” Gadd said.

African Auto isn't alone in failing to pay.

Columbus resident Charlie Downing owes $13,000 for false alarms. When we spoke to him off camera, he blamed his former alarm company in refusing to pay.

Gadd said Downing hasn't returned calls or answered the door when city workers and police came by.

“We are in discussions with the city attorney's office based on his financial condition, whether we'll be able to collect that amount,” Gadd said.

There are the companies that owe money but are out of business.

Such as Nytek Auto on Mock Road.

It's been closed for four years.

The company owes the city $8,400 for false alarms.

Casa Fiesta Mexican Restaurant on Dublin-Granville Road owes $7,500. It's closed.

Sammy's New York Bagels is closed, too.

Combined, the three companies owe the city more than $24,000.

The city still is pursuing the money through collection agencies.

In total, the city still has about $300,000 in false-alarm fees that are delinquent from dozens of companies.

Four months ago, African Auto disconnected its alarm from the police. Even so, at some point, it will have to settle its $30,000 tab with the city.

“That's a lot of money. It's too much, too much,” Mohamed said.

“Taxpayers are paying every time police and fire respond to that user’s alarm system. We're all paying for that,” Gadd said.

For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
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