As used in this chapter:
(a) "Alarm System" means any assembly of equipment, mechanical or electrical, arranged to signal the occurrence of an unauthorized entry, robbery or other criminal offense, fire emergency or medical emergency. For the purposes this chapter, "alarm system" includes the 9-1-1 telephone system and equipment. Alarm systems specifically exclude those installed on motor vehicles.
(b) "Alarm user" means a person or entity of any kind who or which is:
(1) An owner (or lessee) and also the user of an alarm system, as the occupant of the premises where the system is installed (the premises);
(2) The owner (or lessee) of such a premises which is occupied by another person or entity, if there is no written contract stating that the occupant is to be responsible for the alarm system;
(3) The occupant of such a premises, if there is a written agreement that the occupant is responsible for the alarm system;
(4) The subscriber or user of telephone services that access the 9-1-1 emergency telephone system and the manager or owner of a business that provides "on premises" public pay telephones.
(c) "False alarm" means the activation of an alarm system or emergency 9-1-1 telephone system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation or the negligence of the owner, lessee or subscriber of an alarm system or any of his or her employees, family members, guests or agents. "False alarm" includes nuisance 9-1-1 phone calls whether initiated by equipment failure or human negligence, that results in a police, fire or EMS response. Nuisance 9-1-1 calls include those 9-1-1 calls intentionally generated wherein no police or fire emergency exists and the caller was aware no actual emergency existed at the time the call was placed.
(d) "Key box" means a commercially available secure container openable by a secure and common key carried by the Fire and/or Police Department. The key box is to be supplied by the building owner and is to be provided with a building key for use by emergency services to access alarm systems and the bulk of the interior of the building. Key boxes must match current boxes in use in the community.
(e) "Key switch" means a commercially available secure electric switch openable by a secure and common key carried by the Fire and/or Police Department. The key switch is to be supplied by the building owner and operates electric doors or gates for use by emergency services to access alarm systems and the bulk of the interior of the building or complex. Key switches must match current switches in use in the community.
(f) "Gated community" means a grouping of multiple or single commercial and/or residential units accessible through locked gates. Emergency services need quick access to these structures to provided requested services.
(Ord. 00-19. Passed 9-26-00.)