For the purposes of this article, the following words have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Alarm system monitoring company means any individual, partnership, corporation or other form of association that engages in the business of monitoring security alarm systems and reporting any activation of such alarm systems to the sheriff’s office.
Alarm user means any individual, partnership, corporation or other form of association that owns or leases a security alarm system or on whose premises a security alarm system is maintained for the protection of the premises.
Automatic dialing telephone alarm means a security alarm system with a device that automatically dials the sheriff’s office emergency assistance telephone lines without human activation of the device by the alarm user.
Dispatch or response means a discretionary decision whether to direct the sheriff’s office units to a location where there has been a request, made by whatever means, for sheriff’s assistance or investigation. There is no duty to dispatch under any circumstances, including to answer an alarm signal, and all dispatch decisions are made subject to competing priorities and available sheriff’s office resources.
False alarm means an alarm signal eliciting notification to and a response by the sheriff’s office when there is no evidence of a crime or other activity that warrants a call for immediate sheriff’s office assistance and no person who was on or near the property or has viewed a video communication from the property called for the sheriff’s office dispatch or confirmed the need for sheriff’s office assistance. “False alarm” does not include an alarm signal caused by violent conditions of nature or other extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the alarm user.
Security alarm system means any system, device, or mechanism for the detection and reporting of any unauthorized entry or attempted entry or property damage upon premises protected by the system that may be activated by sensors or other techniques and, when activated, automatically transmits a telephone message or emits an audible, visible, or electronic signal that can be heard, seen, or received by persons outside of the protected premises and is intended to summon sheriff’s office assistance.
Sheriff means the sheriff of the county of and the sheriff’s designee.
Sheriff’s office means the law enforcement agency of the county and includes office staff and law enforcement officers.
(1976 Code, § 11-42) (Ord. 3354, § 1, passed 4-18-2000)