For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALARM SYSTEM. Any mechanical, electrical, or electronic device that is arranged, designed, or used to signal the occurrence in the city of a fire, life hazard, or medical emergency or a burglary, robbery, or other criminal offense. ALARM SYSTEMS include, but are not limited to, those by which public safety personnel of the city are notified directly of such signals by automatic recording devices, or are notified indirectly by way of third persons who monitor the alarm systems and who report such signals to public safety personnel. 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 lot where the signal is located, who in turn notify public safety personnel of the city of the signal. ALARM SYSTEMS do not include those affixed to automobiles, or auxiliary devices installed by telephone companies to protect telephone equipment, or systems which might be damaged or disrupted by the use of any alarm system.
FALSE ALARM.
(1) Any signal created by an alarm system, including but not limited to alarm signals initiated by human error, which directly or indirectly notifies public safety personnel of the city of the occurrence of a fire, life hazard, or medical emergency, or a burglary, robbery, or other criminal offense, when either of the following circumstances is present:
(a) No such emergency, hazard, or offense has occurred or, as the case may be, is occurring; or
(b) Fire, law enforcement, or emergency medical personnel are not needed to respond to such emergency, hazard, or offense.
(2) False alarm shall not include, for purposes of this chapter, a signal activated by fire, lightning, tornado winds, flooding or earthquake, or by telephone or power line malfunction verified in writing by the telephone company or power supplier seven days after the alarm.
FIRE ALARM. Any communication, or attempted communication, whether in person or by a mechanical, electrical, or electronic device, that is intended or is designed to elicit a prompt response by the Fire Department of the city.
OWNER or LESSEE. Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or entity who or which purchases, leases, contracts for, or obtains an alarm system.
POLICE ALARM. Any communication, or attempted communication, whether in person or by a mechanical, electrical, or electronic device, that is intended or is designed to elicit a prompt response by the Police Department of the city.
PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL. The officers and other members of the Fire Department, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad, and Police Department, respectively.
VENDOR. Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or entity associated with an alarm business or company either indirectly or directly, whose duties include, but are not necessarily limited to, any of the following: selling, replacing, moving, repairing, maintaining, or installing an alarm system on or in any structure, building, or facility.
(Prior Code, § 6-801) (Ord. 93-2173, passed 8-30-1993)