August 7, 2015 - Shelby County Today was notified that according to Texas Local Government Code, Sec. 118.133, Shelby County does not meet qualifications to be able to adopt a system by which the county charges a fee for false alarms.
August 3, 2015 - In response to questions concerning the registration of home security systems with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, I would like to clarify.
The reason for the registration of your security system is to get accurate, detailed directions to your home or business should your alarm go off. Your alarm company is most likely in another city or possibly another state and the answering service that alerts the Sheriff’s office does not have the best information of how to locate you. The registration form asks for 911 address, detailed directions to your home or business, as well as contact numbers.
At this time, there is NO FEE. When county fees are set in January, the county may choose to impose that fee. But we still need you to please register your system with us for your safety and to possibly save precious time in reaching you should your alarm sound.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Sheriff Willis Blackwell
July 27, 2015 (Original release) - Due to the increasing number of security alarm calls, the Shelby County Sheriffs Office (SCSO) is requesting property owners register any security systems installed and existing in the county (outside the Center City Limits). Forms to register the systems are available at the SCSO. An initial registration fee of $30 is required to register new systems or any existing systems. Property owners will not incur any additional charges unless the SCSO responds to more than three false alarms in a calendar year. After three false calls, a fee of $30 will be charged per incident.
Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell suggests property owners have their alarms adjusted to prevent alarms from being set off falsely. Blackwell said deputies respond to numerous false alarm calls per night and with no more than two deputies on duty per shift, it is difficult to cover the false calls which average more than 200 per month.
This change will not affect Life Alert systems or similar systems used by the ill or elderly citizens in the county. For more information contact the SCSO at (936) 598-5601.
