As used in this chapter:
(a) “Alarm monitoring company” means a company or entity engaged in central monitoring, the receiving of alarms from connected alarm systems, and which is authorized to place calls to the direct dispatch phone number at the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority (CCCDA).
(b) “Alarm Safety Board” means the body as organized in this chapter and which may exercise such powers as are conferred upon it by this chapter.
(c) “Alarm system” means any mechanical or electrical device, including an electronic access control system, a video monitoring system, a burglar alarm system, smoke detectors, or any other electronic system that is designed to emit an audible alarm or transmit a signal or message to a central monitoring station if it is activated and that is used to detect an unauthorized entry into a protected premises or alert other persons of the occurrence of a fire or medical emergency or the commission of an unlawful act against a person or in a protected premises. The term includes, but is not limited to, a silent, panic, holdup, robbery, duress, burglary, medical alert, or proprietor alarm that signals a central monitoring station. A security alarm system includes any system that can electronically cause an expected response by a law enforcement agency to a protected premise by means of the activation of an audible signal, visible signal, electronic notification, or video signal, or any combination of these signals, to a remote monitoring location on or off a protected premise. Excluded from this definition are single-family residence smoke or heat detectors not connected with an alarm system at a premise, alarm systems on motor vehicles not connected with an alarm system, or a system that is not monitored by a central monitoring station and does not set off an audible alarm.
(d) “Alarm system agent” means a person employed by an alarm system contractor, whose duties include the altering, installing, maintaining, moving, repairing, replacing, selling, servicing and responding to (or causing others to respond to) an alarm system.
(e) “Alarm system contractor” means a person, corporation, company, or other entity engaged in the installation, maintenance, alteration or servicing of alarm systems, central monitoring, or who responds to an alarm system. “Alarm system contractor” does not include a business which only sells or manufactures alarm systems, unless the business services alarm systems, installs alarm systems or monitors or responds to alarm systems at the protected premises.
(f) “Alarm user” means any person, partnership, corporation, company, or other entity on whose premises within the City an alarm system is maintained; or who has either an ownership interest in the premises or a leasehold interest in the premises, or who occupies the premises, or who has some dominion and control over the premises where the alarm system is installed and operating. However, if an alarm system on a motor vehicle is connected with an alarm system at a premises, the person using such system is an alarm user.
(Ord. 13-85. Passed 7-16-85.)
(g) “Annunciation panel” means a device that consists of a number of visible signals such as “flags” or lamps indicating the status information about a circuit, condition or location.
(h) “Burglar alarm” means an alarm that notifies an alarm monitoring company that an intrusion or holdup is in progress at the premises.
(i) “Central monitoring” means a remote monitoring service provided by an alarm monitoring company that receives electronically or over regular telephone lines, by direct connection or otherwise, a prerecorded message or coded signal indicating the existence of a burglar alarm or a fire alarm. The term does not include an alarm user who receives signals or messages about their own security alarm system.
(j) “Connection fee” means the fee paid for the privilege of making a connection directly to an alarm monitoring company which mechanically, electronically or by other means initiates the automatic calling or dialing of a connection directly to the Dispatch Center for the purpose of delivering a message.
(k) “Dispatch Center” means the CCCDA maintained by its governing Board of Directors to receive requests for and dispatches police or fire service. (Ord. 13-85. Passed 7-16-85.)
(l) “False alarm” means the activation of an alarm system:
(1) Through improper installation or negligence of the alarm user or of employees, agents, guests, residents, or invitees;
(2) Through the intentional activation of the alarm system without reasonable and legitimate need or cause by the alarm user or by employees, agents, guests, residents, or invitees;
(3) Through faulty equipment, malfunction, or lack of prudent maintenance;
(4) Triggered by an animal; or
(5) Triggered by testing without prior written notice to the City.
“False alarm” does not include an alarm caused by meteorological or geological conditions, activation of the system by disruption or disturbance of telephone or other communication systems, motor vehicle utility pole accidents, mechanical or electrical failure of the system, industrial or commercial accidents to the system, or war.
(Ord. 14-87. Passed 10-13-87.)
(m) “Fire alarm” means an alarm that notifies an alarm monitoring company that a possible fire is in progress.
(n) “Fire Department” means the City of Battle Creek Fire Department.
(o) “Police Department” means the City Police Department.
(Ord. 13-85. Passed 7-16-85; Ord. 06-2023. Passed 6-6-23.)