(a) False alarms are declared to be a public nuisance and a danger that are avoidable, and by reason of the activity and responses intended to be generated, present a threat to the safety, health and welfare of the citizens of the City. The alarm holder shall pay the City a service charge for a false alarm, which shall be as follows:
Residential Alarm Holder | |
Number of False Alarms Per Year | Amount of Penalty per Occurrence |
1 - 3 | $0.00 |
4 - 7 | 50.00 |
8 - 12 | 75.00 |
13 - more | 100.00 |
Business Alarm Holder | |
Number of False Alarms Per Year | Amount of Penalty per Occurrence |
1 - 3 | $0.00 |
4 - 7 | 50.00 |
8 - 12 | 100.00 |
13 - more | 200.00 |
(b) This section imposes strict liability for all false alarms. Upon determination that the alarm is false, as defined by this chapter, then the issue of fact is conclusive and fault, except as may be exempted by this chapter, is not a defense to the assessments stated by this section.
(Ord. C64-94. Passed 9-19-94.)
(c) Notice of False Alarms.
(1) Upon information of a false alarm as defined in this chapter, on land within the City, the Director of Public Safety and/or his or her designee, shall cause a written notice to be served upon the owner, lessee, agent or tenant having charge of such land notifying him or her of the false alarm and service charges that may be due. Service charges are due within thirty (30) days of receipt of the notice required herein.
(2) For residential alarm holders: Such notice shall be served by delivering the same personally to such person within the corporate limits of the City, by leaving such notice at the residence or by sending the same by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the residence or to the address listed in the Franklin County tax records. If the owner or other person having charge of such land is a nonresident whose address is known, such notice shall be sent to his or her address by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by regular postal service if such certified mail has been refused by the addressee.
(3) For business alarm holders: Such notice shall be served by delivering the same personally to the business within the corporate limits of the City, by leaving such notice at the place of business or by sending the same by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the business, or by regular postal service if such certified mail has been refused by the business.
(d) Failure to Pay Service Charges. Should such account remain unpaid after the thirtieth day after being notified in writing of the service charge by the Director of Public Safety and/or his or her designee, such expenses shall be certified by the Director of Finance to the County Auditor and placed upon the tax duplicate for collection as a special assessment and thereupon shall be collected as other taxes and assessments. Such expenses shall include any administrative costs established by the Director of Public Safety plus any fines and/or costs.
(e) The recovery of service charges by the City pursuant to this section is a remedy in addition to any other penalty that may be imposed.
(Ord. C16-14. Passed 4-21-14.)