For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALARM ADMINISTRATOR. The department head, or his or her designee, of the department designated by the City Manager to perform the administrative functions of this chapter.
ALARM BUSINESS. The business by any individual, partnership, corporation or other entity of selling, leasing, maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving, installing or monitoring any alarm system or causing to be sold, leased, maintained, serviced, repaired, altered, replaced, installed or monitored any alarm system in or on any
building, structure or facility, but excluding any person who installs his or her own alarm on his or her own property to protect his or her own personal property.
ALARM SYSTEM.
(1) One or more devices designed to detect and signal unauthorized intrusion, entry, robbery, fire or other emergency condition, which signals are responded to by public law enforcement officers, Fire Department personnel, private security guards or security officers and includes:
(a) Interconnecting systems which are connected, either directly or through a mechanical device, to a telephone for the purpose of using the telephone line to transmit a message upon activation of the alarm system;
(b) Automatic dialing devices; and
(c) Audible systems not interconnected to telephone lines which when activated sound a bell, siren or other device that make an audible or visual signal at the location protected by the alarm system.
(2) ALARM SYSTEMS installed within vehicles shall be excluded.
ALARM USER. Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization in control of any building, structure or facility located within the city, wherein an alarm system is maintained, and included users outside the city for the purposes of false alarm charges in § 91.06(A).
AUTOMATIC DIALING DEVICE. A device which is interconnected to a telephone line and is programmed to select a predetermined telephone number and transmit by voice message or code signal an emergency message indicating a need for police, fire or medical response.
FALSE ALARM.
(1) The activation of a burglary, robbery, fire or other alarm for the purpose of summoning emergency assistance or which causes the Police or Fire Department to be summoned, at a time when no emergency exists and includes those caused by:
(a) Error, mistake or any action by any person, firm, corporation or other entity or agent thereof, owning or operating any dwelling, building or place which results in the activation of any alarm system when no emergency exists;
(b) Malfunction or any activation of any alarm system caused by a flaw in the normal operation, design, installation, maintenance of the system, faulty equipment, change in environment, atmospheric conditions or premises upon or within which the alarm system is operating; and
(c) Intentional misuse or any intentional activation of an alarm system when no burglary, robbery, vandalism, fire or other emergency is in progress, but excluding testing during installation and regular maintenance when the alarm user notifies the police service in advance and receives permission for the test.
(2) An alarm will not be considered a
FALSE ALARM if it is determined by the police service that the alarm was the result of vandalism, attempted entry or severe weather, which causes visible, physical or other evidence of damage to the premises.
IN-STATION ALARMS. An alarm system which is connected to the police station communications area or the Fire Department by telephone or other means which summons emergency assistance.
(Prior Code, § 14-221)