MAHONING TOWNSHIP -- As of the first of the year, residents now face fines for redundant home or business false alarm situations.

The alarm ordinance was passed in October by Mahoning Township supervisors -- Chairperson Christine DeLong, Vice Chairman Ronald Miller and Supervisor William Earlston -- and requires residents to register their alarm systems and ultimately face penalties for false alarms.

It took effect Jan. 1.

Since the enactment more than two months ago, the police department has been registering alarm systems of homes and businesses within the township, Police Chief David Shope Jr. said Wednesday.

Letters were distributed to homeowners and landlords noting that alarms should be accounted for.

And while alarm systems are often registered initially anyway, Shope said future encounters with false alarms also will help update records.

Solicitor Rick Shoch said the scale of fines rise for each incident: a warning notice will be distributed for the first two events; events three and four result in a $100 fine; events five and six will result in $150 fines; events seven and eight a $200 fine; event nine a $250 fine; and from event 10 and on owners face a $300 fine.