§ 114.05 FALSE ALARMS.
   (A)   Police false alarms.
      (1)   If the Communications Center receives in excess of one false police alarm in any calendar month from any single alarm system, the alarm system user shall be assessed a civil penalty of $50 for each said false alarm. Failure to pay such civil penalty within 30 days from the date the notice of the violation is issued may result in the revocation of the permit, and the Police Department may cease responding to alarms from the premises until (i) the alarm system user has paid all outstanding civil penalties in full, and (ii) the alarm system is reset by the alarm system user or, in the case of a defective alarm system, the alarm system has been repaired.
      (2)   If the Communications Center receives in excess of six false police alarms in any calendar year from any single alarm system, the Police Chief shall order the disconnection of any such alarm system and/or may revoke the permit; provided, however, when the Police Chief has reason to believe that such false alarms are the result of a defective alarm system, in lieu of such disconnection or permit revocation, the Police Chief may require the alarm system user to cause the alarm system to be inspected by an individual or company licensed by the state to install and inspect alarm systems. The alarm system user shall select and arrange for a qualified individual or company to perform the inspection, and shall be responsible for compensating such individual or company for such inspection. Within 30 days after being ordered to do so by the Police Chief, the alarm system user shall provide the Police Chief with appropriate documentation that (i) such an inspection was performed and (ii) the alarm system has been reset or otherwise repaired. If the alarm system user fails to provide the Police Chief with such documen- tation within 30 days after being ordered to do so, or if the alarm system is not repaired, altered, replaced or other appropriate corrective action taken within 30 days after the false alarm in all other circumstances, the Police Chief may immediately order the alarm system to be disconnected and/or revoke the permit, in the Police Chief’s sole and absolute discretion.
      (3)   Further, if the alarm system transmits an electronic alarm signal or recorded message to a receiving station other than the Communication Center, or is a local audible alarm, the Police Department, upon notice in writing to the alarm system user, may cease responding to the alarms until the alarm system is repaired and inspected under the guidelines stated in this section.
      (4)   Signals or messages transmitted by the alarm system during testing procedures shall not be considered false alarms if the alarm system user first notifies and receives permission from the Com- munications Center before testing the alarm system.
   (B)   Fire false alarms.
      (1)   If the Communications Center receives in excess of one false fire alarm in any calendar month from any single alarm system, the alarm system user shall be assessed a civil penalty of $100 for each false alarm. Failure to pay this penalty within 30 days from the date of notice of the violation is issued may result in the revocation of the permit.
      (2)   If the Communications Center receives in excess of six false fire alarms in any calendar year, the Fire Chief shall, except in the case of educational and health care institutions, have the authority to order the disconnection of any such alarm system and/or may revoke the permit; provided, however, when the Fire Chief has reason to believe that such false alarms are the result of a defective alarm system, in lieu of such disconnection or permit revocation, the Fire Chief may require the alarm system user to cause the alarm system to be inspected by an individual or company licensed by the state to install and inspect alarm systems. The alarm system user shall select and arrange for a qualified individual or company to perform the inspection, and shall be responsible for compensating such individual for such inspection. Within 30 days after being ordered to do so by the Fire Chief, the alarm system user shall provide the Fire Chief with appropriate documentation that (i) such an inspection was performed and (ii) the alarm system has been reset or otherwise repaired. If the alarm system user fails to provide the Fire Chief with such documentation within 30 days after being ordered to do so by the Fire Chief, or if the alarm system is not repaired, altered, replaced or other appropriate corrective action taken within 30 days after the false alarm in all other circumstances, the Fire Chief may recommend to the Police Chief and the Police Chief may immediately cause the alarm system to be disconnected and/or may revoke the permit, in the Police Chief's sole and absolute discretion. Signals or messages transmitted by the alarm system during testing procedures shall not be considered false alarms if the alarm system user first notifies and receives permission from the Communications Center before testing the alarm system.
(Ord. passed 7-17-00)