(A) Definitions.
ALARM. Means a mechanical, electrical or an electronic device designed to detect and/or signal: intrusion, holdup, trouble, or fire, excluding such device affixed to a motor vehicle.
FALSE ALARM. Means an alarm signal when response by the Police and/or Fire Departments is not in fact required, but excluding an alarm caused by storm or other conditions beyond the reasonable control of the alarm or alarm user.
(a) False alarms signaled within a 24-hour period of the original false alarm will not be counted as additional alarms, to allow for the repair and/or correction of the malfunction.
(b) The Columbia Heights Police will document all police false alarms for the purpose of enforcing this section and the Columbia Heights Fire Department will document all fire false alarms for the purpose of enforcing this section.
(B) Exception. Federal and/or state agencies and political subdivisions of the federal or state government shall be exempt from the payment of any permit, fees, and/or false alarm charges otherwise provided for by this section.
(C) A fee shall be payable to the city for the third response and each subsequent response within one calendar year by the Police and/or Fire Department to an automatic alarm device triggered other than by reason of criminal activity and/or fire (false alarm). The fee shall be set by resolution.
(D) The city shall have the power to collect such fee by whatever means necessary, including the issuance of ordinance violation summons for failure to comply with the requirements of this section within seven working days of receiving notice of payment due. The person responsible for the payment of such fee is the person to be cited a petty misdemeanor.
(E) Liability of city. The regulation of alarm response shall not constitute acceptance by the city of liability to maintain equipment, to answer alarms, or to respond to alarms in any particular manner.
(Ord. 1387, passed 5-10-99)