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 employed by an alarm system business whose duties include any of the following: selling, leasing, maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving or installing of alarm systems.
ALARM SYSTEM. Any mechanical or electrical device that is arranged, designed or used to signal the occurrence in the city of a burglary, robbery or other criminal offense, attention, and to which police personnel are expected to respond. Alarm systems include those through which public safety personnel are notified directly of such signals through electronic signal devices or are notified indirectly by way of third persons who monitor the alarm systems and who report such signals to the Police Department. ALARM SYSTEMS also include those designed to register a signal, which is so audible, visible, or in other ways perceptible outside a protected building, structure or facility as to notify persons in the neighborhood beyond the zoning lot where the signal is located, who in turn may notify the Police Department of the signal. ALARM SYSTEMS do not include those affixed to auto-mobiles; furthermore, alarm systems do not include auxiliary devices installed by telephone companies to protect telephone equipment or systems which might be damaged or disrupted by the use of an alarm system. Alarms in separate structures are to be counted as separate systems, even though owned by the same person or entity.
ALARM SYSTEM BUSINESS. Any business which consists of, in whole or in part, the selling, leasing, maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving or installing of an alarm system.
AUDIBLE ALARM. Any security device which sounds an alarm on the premises. An AUDIBLE ALARM shall include but not be limited to any security device which sounds an alarm to alert others of an unauthorized entry on the premises, the commission of any unlawful act, or any other emergency.
FALSE ALARM. An alarm signal eliciting a response by the police when a situation requiring a response by the Police Department does not in fact exist. FALSE ALARM does not include an alarm signal caused by violent conditions nature or other extraordinary circumstances not reasonably subject to control by the alarm business operator or alarm user. Alarms resulting from the following conditions are not considered false alarms:
(1) Criminal activity or unauthorized entry.
(2) Earthquake causing structural damage to the protected premises.
(3) High winds sufficient to activate motion detection system or causing physical damage to the protected premises.
(4) Flooding of the protected premises due to overflow of natural drainage.
(5) Lightning bolt causing physical damage to the protected premises.
(6) Telephone line malfunction verified in writing to the city by at least a first line telephone company supervisor.
(7) Electrical service interruption verified in writing to the department by local power company.
(8) Communication to the Police Department before a unit is dispatched to investigate, clearly indicating that the alarm is resulting from authorized entry, authorized system test, or other non-criminal cause.
PRIVATE CENTRAL STATION ALARM. An alarm which relays or is capable of relaying a signal to a private company providing watchman or security services.
PUBLIC CENTRAL STATION ALARM. An alarm which relays or is capable of relaying a signal or message which is received at the Police Station on a special device designed for the particular purpose of receiving signals.
SUBSCRIBER. Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or entity who or which purchases, leases, contracts for or obtains an alarm system.
(`79 Code, § 133.001) (Ord. 90-184, passed 1-15-90)