For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
“Alarm Agent.” Any person who is registered as an alarm agent pursuant to the provisions of the California Alarm Company Act, § 7590, et seq., of the Business and Professions Code and doing business as such within the corporate limits of the City of La Mirada.
“Alarm Company Operator.” Any person licensed as an alarm company operator pursuant to the provisions of the California Alarm Company Act, § 7590, et seq., of the Business and Professions Code and doing business as such within the corporate limits of the City of La Mirada.
“Alarm Officer.” The officer or employee of the city or its police or fire department, having responsibility for responding, or for causing the response, to an activated alarm system.
“Alarm System Coordinator.” The officer or employee of the city, or designee thereof, designated by the City Manager as having direct authority and responsibility for administration of the provisions of this chapter, excepting only those functions specifically designated to be performed by the Alarm Officer.
“Alarm Subscriber.” Any person who purchases, leases, contracts for, or otherwise obtains and operates an alarm system or contracts for the servicing or maintenance of an alarm system.
“Alarm System.” Any mechanical or electrical device which is designed or used for the detection of burglary, robbery, fire, within a building, structure, or facility, or on any premises, or for alerting others to a hazard or need for medical assistance, or to the commission of an unlawful act within a building, structure or facility, which emits a sound or transmits a signal or message when actuated, and which is designed to elicit a response from law enforcement or fire personnel.
(i) Alarm System includes, but is not limited to, every automatic dialing device, direct-dial telephone device, audible alarm, and proprietor alarm. Devices which are not designed or used to register or activate alarms that are audible, visible or perceptible outside the protected building, structure, facility or premises are not included within this definition.
(ii) Alarm System includes all of the necessary equipment designed and installed for the detection of burglary, robbery, or fire, or to signal any emergency or need for medical assistance, or other hazard, within a premises, building, structure, or facility, or for alerting others to the commission of an unlawful act within a premises, building, structure, or facility.
“Audible Alarm.” An alarm system that generates an audible sound at its location when it is actuated.
“Automatic Dialing Device.” An alarm system that automatically and electronically transmits by any means a prerecorded voice message or form of signal to a City-authorized telephone number, indicating the existence of an emergency situation that the alarm system is designed to detect.
Emergency. Any condition which results in, or which could result in, the response of law enforcement or fire personnel or any condition which jeopardizes or could jeopardize public safety.
“False Alarm.” The notification to the City’s police or fire department concerning the activation of an alarm system when:
(i) There is no evidence of a crime or other activity that warrants the assistance of the City’s police department on the premises, as indicated by the investigation of a police officer on the scene or by the lack of a police report filed by the occupant or property owner, and no individual who was on or near the premises or who viewed a video communication from, or live-monitored the premises called for the dispatch or confirmed a need for police response; or
(ii) There is no indication or presence of a fire or medical or other emergency situation on the premises, that warrants a call for assistance from or investigation by the City’s fire department, and no individual who was on or near the premises or who viewed a video communication from, or live-monitored the premises requested the response or confirmed a need for emergency response.
“False Alarm” shall not include an alarm for which law enforcement or fire personnel do not actually arrive at the alarm location, or any alarm caused by earthquakes, severe storms or other extraordinary circumstances determined by the Alarm Officer to be clearly beyond the control of the alarm subscriber.
"Proprietor Alarm." An alarm that is not serviced by an alarm agent or alarm company operator, and that is not designed to cause a response by the City’s police or fire department. (Ord. 649 § 2, 2012).