For the purposes of this article, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
Activation of an Alarm System. The emission of an audible or silent alarm or signal generated by an alarm system, including the transmission of a message by means of an automatic telephone dialer.
Alarm Company. The business of any individual, partnership, corporation, or other entity engaged in selling, leasing, or installing any alarm system or in causing any alarm system to be sold, leased, or installed in or on any building, structure, facility, or premises.
Alarm System. Any single device or assembly of equipment designed to signal the occurrence of an emergency, including illegal entry or other activity requiring immediate attention, to which the police department is expected to respond or does respond, and that emits an audible alarm or transmits a signal or message, including a telephonic message, when activated. The term does not include alarms installed in motor vehicles or fire alarms.
Alarm System Coordinator. A subordinate, person, or vendor designated by the chief of police to administer this article.
Alarm User. Any person owning or leasing an alarm system, or on whose premises an alarm system is maintained for the protection of such premises.
Audible Alarm. Any alarm system that emits a sound when activated.
Automatic Telephone Dialer. Any alarm system that, when activated, dials a programmed telephone number, and when the telephone is answered, plays a recorded message informing the listener of an unauthorized entry or unlawful act.
Chief of Police. The chief of police of the city, or the chief’s authorized subordinates.
Common Cause. A common technical difficulty or malfunction which causes an alarm system to generate a series of false alarms.
Emergency. Includes:
(1) An unauthorized entry or attempted unauthorized entry into a building, place, or premises, excluding any motor vehicle; or
(2) The commission of a crime.
Emergency Service. Any law enforcement, fire, or medical service.
False Alarm. Any alarm activation that is communicated to an emergency service but that is not in response to an actual or threatened emergency. False alarms include alarm activations caused by mechanical or electronic failure, malfunction, improper installation or maintenance of alarm system equipment, or the negligence of the alarm user, employees, and agents of the alarm user. False alarm shall also include efforts to use an alarm system to summon an emergency service for a purpose other than an emergency. A false alarm shall not include an alarm activation when there is evidence that the activation was the result of a power outage exceeding four hours in length or the result of hurricane, fire, earthquake, or other unusually violent condition of nature or an alarm that is canceled by the alarm user before the police department is dispatched to or arrives at the premises.
Notice. Written notice, served personally or mailed, addressed to the person to be notified at the person’s last known address. Service of such notice shall be deemed effected upon completion of personal service or upon deposit of such notice in the United States mail.
Permittee. The holder of a permit issued under § 40-9.2.
Person. An individual, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, association, organization, or similar entity, but excludes any agency of the federal government or the State.
Police Department. The Honolulu police department.
Service Charge. A charge assessed a permittee to offset the city’s cost of responding to a false alarm, and may include the administrative costs of mailing and processing an assessment notice for a false alarm and the prorated share of the city’s cost of administering this article.
(1990 Code, Ch. 41, Art. 42, § 41-42.1) (Added by Ord. 01-63; Am. Ords. 12-40, 14-3)