Loading...
For the purpose of this chapter the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALARM. A system designed to transmit a signal (audio or visual, recorded or live) to the Police or Fire Departments indicating a predetermined condition including, but not limited to, burglary alarm, fire alarm or robbery alarm. The alarm is received either:
(1) Via telephone line to a designated position on an alarm panel.
(2) Via a private alarm service company relayed to the Police or Fire Department telephone.
(3) Via an automated telephone alarm system, playing a recorded message when received on the Police or Fire Department telephone.
(4) Via an audible/visual signal relayed to the Police or Fire Department by a third party.
BURGLARY ALARM. An alarm system designed to indicate an unauthorized entry, forced entry, or attempted forced entry into a premise.
FALSE ALARM. The activation of an alarm, by any means, including, but not limited to, a system test with no notification, which does not represent the designated condition including, but not limited to, burglary alarm, fire alarm, or robbery alarm.
FIRE ALARM. An alarm system designated to indicate the presence of fire or smoke.
ROBBERY ALARM. An alarm system designed to indicate that a robbery or hold-up is in progress or has taken place.
TELEPHONE ALARM SYSTEM. Any alarm system which automatically transmits by telephone line a recorded electronic or mechanical signal to a telephone instrument at the Police or Fire Department. The system shall be totally automated and require no relaying or action by a human being.
(Ord. 219, passed 4-18-85; Am. Ord. 659, passed 9-19-93; Am. Ord. 1051, passed 3-21-02)
(A) Prior to the installation or substantial modification or use of an alarm system which is defined in § 96.01, the owner or lessee of the premises shall furnish the Police and Fire Departments with such information as the Departments deem necessary to provide adequate response to the alarm. Newly installed or substantially modified systems shall be allowed to operate for a period of 30 days from the date of installation or modification without penalty for false alarms, provided the Police and Fire Departments are notified of the installation or modification in advance of same.
(B) The owner or lessee of any premises at which an alarm system is installed shall register the installation with the Police Department and Fire Department and shall be liable to the city for all service fees rendered for false alarms pursuant to this chapter. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein contained, the owner or lessee of a premises which has an unregistered alarm system shall be liable for a service fee commencing with the first false alarm.
(C) Owners or lessees of any alarm system shall provide response to the alarm location, when requested, in order to reset or disable the alarm system within one hour of notification. Failure to provide the response may result in a charge of $50 for each occurrence, payable to the city. The charge may be waived in the discretion of the Chief of Police or the Fire Chief provided good cause therefor shall have been promptly demonstrated to the appropriate Chief.
(D) The owner or lessee of every premises which utilizes an alarm system, shall provide the Police Department, Fire Department and Alarm Monitoring Company with a minimum of three current working telephone numbers of persons to be notified in case of an emergency.
(E) All alarm systems having an audible or visual signal at the premises shall be so equipped so as to automatically shut off the audible or visual signal after 15 minutes. Those systems required by law to have a longer operating period shall be equipped so as to automatically shut off the audible or visual signal at the conclusion of the longer required operating time.
(F) Telephone alarm devices shall be so constructed or installed such as to not seize or otherwise hold or preempt the telephone lines of the Police or Fire Department.
(Ord. 219, passed 4-18-85; Am. Ord. 659, passed 9-19-93; Am. Ord. 919, passed 3-18-99; Am. Ord. 1051, passed 3-21-02) Penalty, see § 10.99
For each response by the Police Department or Fire Department to an alarm, the Department will cause a report to be filed, classifying the alarm as one of the following.
(A) False alarm or system test with no notification.
(B) Valid alarm for cause designated.
(Ord. 219, passed 4-18-85; Am. Ord. 659, passed 9-19-93; Am. Ord. 1051, passed 3-21-02)
Upon the reception of a third false alarm within six months, the Police Department or Fire Department shall issue a warning notice to the owner or lessee or management of the premises involved. The owner or lessee or manager shall file a written report with the Police Department or Fire Department within five working days indicating any and all measures taken to reduce false alarms.
(Ord. 219, passed 4-18-85; Am. Ord. 659, passed 9-19-93; Am. Ord. 1051, passed 3-21-02) Penalty, see § 10.99
There shall be a service fee charged by the city for false alarms according to the following schedule.
First response (none in the last 6 months), No fee
Second response (within six months), No fee
Third response (within six months), warning, No fee
Fourth response and over (within six months), $50 fee, per response
(Ord. 219, passed 4-18-85; Am. Ord. 659, passed 9-19-93; Am. Ord. 1051, passed 3-21-02)
If, within 30 days from the occurrence of a false alarm the owner or lessee of the premises at which the alarm is installed can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Police Chief or Fire Chief that the alarm system in question has actually been examined by a repair service and repaired, if the malfunction was the cause of the false alarm, or certified to be in good working order, then providing the false alarm was not caused by human error, or was the result of an act of God, the false alarm shall not be considered a false alarm for the purpose of the assessment of a service fee.
(Ord. 219, passed 4-18-85; Am. Ord. 659, passed 9-19-93; Am. Ord. 1051, passed 3-21-02)
(A) Upon failure of an owner or lessee or manager of a premises to pay any fee specified in this chapter within 30 days, the Chief of Police or Fire Chief shall be authorized to disconnect or order the disconnection of the alarm system from the Police and Fire Department. It shall be unlawful to reconnect to or fail to disconnect the alarm system from the Police or Fire Department unless and until appropriate corrective action has been taken and the connection of an alarm system is authorized by the Chief of Police or Fire Chief.
(B) Prior to any disconnection of any alarm system from the Police or Fire Department, the owners or lessees of the system shall be notified of intent to disconnect by personal service of the notice or by delivery of a certified mail copy of the notice. Disconnection by the city shall not occur any sooner than seven days following service of the notice.
(C) No disconnection or deactivation shall be ordered or made as to any premises required by law to have an alarm system in operation.
(D) The owner, lessee, or manager shall be responsible for all costs incurred in collecting the service fee including attorneys' fees.
(E) All fines and fees imposed under this chapter which remain unpaid for a period of 30 days following imposition thereof may result in the recording of an order imposing the fine in the public records and thereafter shall constitute a lien against the land on which the violation exists.
(F) Failure of the owner to correct malfunctions or pay such service fees as applicable will result in the Police or Fire Departments not being required to respond to the alarm location.
(Ord. 219, passed 4-18-85; Am. Ord. 659, passed 9-19-93; Am. Ord. 1051, passed 3-21-02) Penalty, see § 10.99
(G) The Fire Official or his/her designee shall have the authority to prohibit occupancy of any commercial or multi-family residential structure for which disconnection of the required fire alarm or sprinkler system has occurred or has been ordered. Such prohibition shall be by certified letter or hand delivered to the owner or manager of the building. Occupancy of such building shall be prohibited until the Fire Official or his/her designee determines that appropriate corrective action has been taken.
(Ord. 919, passed 3-18-99; Am. Ord. 1051, passed 3-21-02)