For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALARM SIGNAL. A detectable signal, either audible or visual, generated by an alarm system, to which the police are expected to respond.
ALARM SYSTEM. Any single device or assembly of equipment designed to signal the occurrence of an illegal or unauthorized entry or other activity requiring immediate attention and to which the Police Department is expected to respond, but does not include alarms installed in motor vehicles, fire alarms, domestic violence alarms, or alarms designed to elicit a medical response.
ALARM USER. Any person, corporation, partnership, proprietorship, governmental or educational entity, or any other entity owning or leasing an alarm system, or on whose premises an alarm system is maintained for the protection of the premises.
AUTOMATIC DIAL PROTECTION DEVICE. An automatic dialing device or an automatic telephone dialing alarm system, and shall include any system which, upon being activated, automatically initiates to the Police Department a recorded message or code signal indicating a need for police response.
CITY. The City of Locust or its agent.
FALSE ALARM. The activation of an alarm system through mechanical or electronic failure, malfunction, improper installation, or the negligence of the alarm user, his or her employees or agents, and signals activated to summon police personnel unless law enforcement response was cancelled by the alarm user or his or her agent before police personnel arrive at the alarm location. An alarm is false within the meaning of this chapter when, upon inspection by the Police Department, evidence indicates that no unauthorized entry, robbery, or other such crime was committed or attempted in or on the premises which would have activated a properly functioning alarm system. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a FALSE ALARM shall not include an alarm which can reasonably be determined to have been caused or activated by unusually violent conditions of nature, nor does it include other extraordinary circumstances not reasonably subject to control by the alarm user. In addition, an alarm activated during an alarm system testing procedure shall not be considered a false alarm if the alarm user first notifies and receives permission from the user’s alarm company, or designee, to test the system.
RUNAWAY ALARM. An alarm system that produces repeated alarm signals that do not appear to be caused by separate human action.
(Ord. 85, passed 10-12-2006)