Johns Creek City Council is considering measures to limit false alarms that call on Johns Creek Police and Fire Departments when there is no emergency.

The new ordinance is similar to one the city of Sandy Springs adopted last year. Dunwoody was looking at similar options Monday night.

According to data from the public safety department, in 2012 there were 5,954 total false alarms with the majority calling on the Johns Creek Police Department.

The ordinance would require businesses and residents to register their alarms. After three false alarms to the police department the owner of the alarm would have to pay a civil penalty.

The standards change for false fire alarms because many of those are automatically sent to the department.

If there is an issue with the alarm the owner would have 15 days to fix the problem. If the system was deactivated during this time the fire marshal would require a fire watch, which is a common practice until the system is reactivated.

Chief of Police Ed Densmore said he has started coordinating the administration part of the endeavor to have an entity work with the alarm companies to reach out to residents and business owners for education and registration information.

Densmore also addressed confusion about renters and owners in both business and residential situations.

He said whoever pays for the actual alarm would be responsible for its registration and upkeep.

Mayor Mike Bodker said the council will have a couple weeks to look at the ordinance and discuss it further at the next work session. It could then be put on the council agenda for approval that night.