(a) When the sheriff’s office determines whether to make an immediate dispatch in response to notification of a signal from a security alarm system, the sheriff may disregard a call for sheriff’s office assistance when:
(1) The call for assistance comes from an alarm system for a premises that has a record of sending 4 false alarms in a 6-month period; and
(2) The call is the only basis for making the dispatch.
(b) The sheriff may consider such a call for assistance as an additional factor in the sheriff’s decision to order an immediate sheriff’s office response when an in-person call, verification from a person at or near the premises, or other independent evidence shows a need for immediate sheriff’s office assistance at the premises.
(c) To discourage false alarms, the sheriff shall adopt a process of sending a letter or delivering other written notice informing the alarm user who has had a false alarm of the consequences of excessive false alarms, the need to take corrective action, and the prospect that 4 false alarms in a 6-month period shall result in the sheriff’s office disregarding alarms from the premises and not responding to requests for immediate sheriff’s office assistance unless there is an in-person call for assistance from someone at or near the premises or other independent information that verifies the need for an immediate sheriff’s office response.
(1976 Code, § 11-53) (Ord. 3354, § 1, passed 4-18-2000)