(a) Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Alarm system means any electronic or mechanical device which transmits an electronic alarm signal or recorded message to the city or county communications center or other receiving station indicating an actual or attempted unauthorized entry into a building, indicating the commission or attempted commission of a crime in or about a building or indicating a possible fire or chemical or gas contamination of a building. For purposes of this definition, the term "other receiving station" means any person or business that receives an electronic alarm signal or recorded message and transmits information regarding such signal or message to the city police or fire departments or to the county communications center.
Alarm system owner means any person, corporation, partnership, governmental or education entity owning or leasing an alarm system.
Audible alarm system means any alarm owned by an alarm system owner that, by sound of a whistle, bell, buzzer, siren or other noise generator, alerts those inside or outside a home, building or vehicle, and in the near vicinity, of a break-in, robbery, possible fire or chemical or gas contamination, but does not transmit a signal by telephone or other communications device.
False alarm means activation of an alarm system that elicits a response by the police or fire departments when no situation requiring such a response does, in fact, exist. This includes accidental, avoidable and unnecessary alarm activation due to user error, equipment malfunction, improper or unsuited equipment, but does not include alarm activation caused by violent conditions of nature or other extraordinary circumstances not reasonably subject to control by the alarm user including disruption of the telephone circuits, an area power failure, or failure of the equipment at the receiving station.
(b) Penalties for excessive false alarms. There shall be a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) per false alarm for the fourth and each subsequent false alarm received by the city police or fire department per calendar year. For purposes of this section, a false alarm is defined as any signal communicated by any means to solicit police or fire response, when the signal originated due to defective or poorly operating equipment or the alarm was otherwise sent accidentally.
(c) Continuous sounding audible alarms. If an audible alarm system is activated and the sound does not cease after fifteen (15) minutes, then the city police or fire department may use any reasonable means to silence the alarm.
(Ord. No. O-06-11-07-1, 2, 11-7-06)