Atlanta police responded to 65,000 alarm system activations in 2012. Roughly 62,000 of the alarms were false.

Effective Sept. 15, Atlanta businesses and residents will be required to register their alarm system and burglar alarms in an attempt to reduce the number of false alarms that authorities respond to, the police department announced Monday.

Residents need to register their alarms at www.crywolf.us/atlantaga/ or by calling 1-855-725-7102 by Feb. 1, 2014 to avoid a $150 fee. Registration is free.

Homeowners will receive a warning after their first false alarm, and there will be a $50 fee after the second false alarm once their systems are registered. The fees will continue to increase after the second false alarm and will be determined by the Atlanta Police Department.

“Our police officers take every alarm call seriously,” Atlanta Police Chief George Turner said. “This new program will allow our officers to spend more time responding to true emergencies.”

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