Kane County alarm fees unwelcome intrusion

I received a letter from Kane County Sheriff Don Kramer having to do with forcing me to register my home alarm system with Kane County.

I have had an alarm system in my home since 1979. I am not a serial-false-alarm-abuser. I oppose the County Board and the Sheriff's position in discouraging individuals from installing alarm systems by charging a registration fee to do so.

I understand fining false alarm abusers. To punish residents who have the desire to protect their property and also discourage new installations by charging a large fee is not acceptable. The $150 registration fee is almost as much as I pay for monitoring for a full year.

The letter from Sheriff Kramer says his office looks forward to forming a partnership with the resident to reduce the number of false alarms. Since when does the relationship between a thief and victim get viewed as a partnership? I reject that. The action by the County Board and the Sheriff is a theft of my money. Let the abusers pay for their abuse. Leave the responsible owners of alarm systems alone. Is this about safety or raising revenue? It's a personal responsibility issue.

The ordinance states that any person who does not pay the registration fee or fines will not receive a response from an alarm call. If an alarm is ever triggered and the Sheriff refuses to respond due to unpaid fees or fines, I would love to see the court case that ensues from the Sheriff refusing to stop a crime. Government run amuck.

I am going to have to pay the fee because I don't want the large club of the government coming down on my head. But this action by Kane County and the Sheriff Kramer is unjust.

Chuck Ingersoll

St. Charles