In 1977, the manpower and equipment costs for handling calls for false alarm soundings was $125,000. In addition, the false alarm calls distracted officers from their primary law enforcement duties. In an attempt to solve these problems, the St. Louis Police Department researched and then proposed a city ordinance regulating electronic security systems. In July 1978, the St. Louis County Council enacted a three-part ordinance regulating alarm systems. Part 1 required that all those engaged in the business of selling, leasing, maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving, or installing alarm systems obtain a license issued by St. Louis County. Part 2 imposed a service charge ranging from $5 to $25 on an alarm owner when police responded to a false alarm. Part 3 banned automatic dialing systems, and all audible alarms were required to have a 30-minute automatic cut-off timer. The article reports that the St. Louis false alarm ordinance is a cost-effective false alarm deterrent and has helped to upgrade the quality of the alarm industry in St. Louis.