For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
"ALARM SYSTEM." An assembly of equipment and devices (or a single device, such as a solid state unit, which may operate from a 110 volt AC line) arranged to signal the presence of a hazard requiring the urgent attention of and to which the Hamden Police and/or Fire Department personnel and equipment are expected to respond. This includes, but shall not be limited to, all burglar alarms, fire alarms, hold-up alarms, medical alarms and automatic telephone dialing devices. This does not include any alarm systems or smoke detectors which do not signal outside an alarmed premise or an alarm system on motor vehicles.
"ALARM USER." Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind which owns, controls or occupies any building, dwelling, structure, property or facility wherein an alarm system is maintained.
"AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE DIALING DEVICE." An alarm system which automatically sends over regular telephone lines, by direct connection or otherwise, a prerecorded voice message indicating the existence of the emergency situation that the alarm system is designed to detect.
"BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEM." An alarm system signaling the entry or attempted entry into the area protected by the system.
"CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS CENTER." The police and fire communications area, other facilities which have communications equipment and the Police/Fire Department dispatchers.
"FALSE ALARM."
(1) An alarm system activated in the absence of an emergency, whether willfully or by inadvertence, negligence, or an unintentional act, including the malfunction of the alarm system to which the Police Department and/or the Fire Department responds. The definition excludes alarm(s) caused by the Central Communications Center receiving equipment if the alarm is directly connected to the alarm board; testing or repairing of telephone or electrical lines or equipment outside the protected premises; acts of God, such as earthquake, flood, windstorm, thunder, lightning or violent weather conditions; or an attempted illegal entry where there is visible evidence of a crime in progress, or in the case or an emergency medical alarm, an actual medical emergency requiring police, fire and/or medical personnel. If doubt exists as to the cause of the false alarm, the Police Chief and in cases of fire and/or medical alarms, the Fire Chief shall have the final decision regarding the circumstances of the activation.
(2) Multiple alarms received by the Police and/or Fire Department before the systems can be deactivated within a reasonable period of time.
(3) This definition also includes the intentional activation of a hold-up alarm for other than a hold-up in progress, the intentional activation of a burglar alarm for other than a burglary, the intentional activation of a medical alarm for other than a medical emergency, or the intentional activation of a fire alarm for other than a fire or hazard. Circumstances in which the activator reasonably believed that an emergency situation existed shall not constitute a false alarm. False fire alarms shall not mean alarms transmitted because of a water main break or similar cause that occurs outside of the protected property.
"FIRE ALARM SYSTEM." A signal or message from a person or other device indicating the existence of a fire or other emergency which requires Fire Department action.
"FIRE CHIEF." The Fire Chief for the Town of Hamden or a designated representative.
"HOLD-UP ALARM SYSTEM." An alarm system signaling a robbery or attempted robbery.
"MEDICAL ALARM SYSTEM." An alarm system signaling a medical or other emergency which requires Police or Fire Department action.
"POLICE CHIEF." The Chief of Police for the Town of Hamden or a designated representative.
"PROTECTED PREMISES." The structure, dwelling or property on which an alarm system is located.
(Ord. 470, passed 6-3-02; Am. Ord. 490, passed 11-6-03; Am. Ord. 584, passed 5-3-10)