Any residence or lawful business or enterprise located within the City may install an emergency alarm for the purpose of detecting and signaling the presence of a fire or an unauthorized intrusion, upon compliance with this chapter. Existing installations shall be subject to the requirements of this chapter, including those pertaining to permits.
(Ord. 117-98. Passed 7-13-98.)
(a) “Alarm user” means a person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, or organization of any kind in control of any building, structure or facility where an alarm system is maintained.
(b) “Alarm system” means any assembly of equipment (mechanical, electrical or detecting device) arranged to signal the occurrence of an unauthorized entry, burglary, fire or other activity requiring urgent attention, and to which the Police Department and/or Fire Department is expected to respond, either as an automatic dialing device directly connected to the Police and/or Fire Department, or an audible alarm inside or outside the premises.
(c) “Automatic dialing device” means a device or system which, upon activation of the alarm, automatically interconnects the telephone system thereby utilizing the telephone system to select a predetermined telephone number for the purpose of transmitting a recorded emergency message of a voice or coded signal indicating a need for emergency response.
(d) “False alarm” means the activation of an alarm when there is no emergency, attempted or forced entry, or risk from fire, heat or smoke. This also includes the activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation or the negligence of the owner or lessee of an alarm system or his employees or agents. Such terminology does not include alarms caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes or other similarly violent conditions or other conditions clearly beyond the control of the user. It also does not include the activating of an alarm system while the system is being tested to determine whether or not the system is in proper working order, provided the Police Department and/or Fire Department has been notified prior to the time the alarm is being tested.
(e) “Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, organization or similar entity.
(Ord. 117-98. Passed 7-13-98.)
(a) No person shall use, or cause to be used, any telephone device or telephone attachment that automatically selects any telephone line allocated by the telephone company to the City or any of its departments or divisions, except a telephone line which may be specifically designated by the Chief of Police or Fire Chief for such purpose.
(b) The City may subscribe to one or more telephone lines for burglar and/or fire alarm purposes, or for similar purposes; and when any line is designated as provided for in subsection (a) above, persons may, upon proper application and compliance with applicable laws, be granted a permit to install a device or devices which automatically select the designated telephone line for the purpose of playing a recorded message or to otherwise report a burglary or other emergency.
(Ord. 117-98. Passed 7-13-98.)
(a) Upon proper application by any person to install equipment in the City police station to receive emergency alarms, the Chief of Police may grant approval.
(b) Connection to the police alarm panel, as provided for in subsection (a) above, shall be contingent upon the applicant having obtained permission from the company which maintains the alarm panel in the police station to make such connection. Permission shall not be denied provided that equipment is compatible and charges are paid.
(c) The City will, within its capabilities, endeavor to accommodate every reasonable application for connection to the police alarm panel, as provided in subsection (b) above. (Ord. 117-98. Passed 7-13-98.)
(a) The Police Department and/or Fire Department shall monitor the number of false alarms that are responded to within the City and shall keep records of the same.
(b) Alarm users may be subject to warnings or fees, depending on the number of false alarm notifications within a one-year period, to the person in control of an alarm system or automatic dialing device, unless waived for good cause by the Board of Control. Requests to waive a fee shall be submitted in writing by the person in control of the alarm system or automatic dialing device within seven days of receipt of notice, stating the grounds for the waiver of the fee.
Number of False Notifications | Alarm Action Taken |
1 |
Warning letter
|
2 |
Warning letter
|
3 |
Warning letter
|
4 |
Administrative fee of $100.00
|
5 |
Administrative fee of $150.00
|
6 or more
|
Administrative fee of $200.00 |
(c) The Police Department or Fire Department shall send written notice of any action by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by personal service to the alarm user. If the certified mail notice is returned unclaimed or refused, notice shall be sent by regular U.S. mail and is considered complete upon mailing.
(d) Any alarm owner who fails to pay within thirty days after receipt of notice any fees assessed pursuant to subsection (a) above, may be ordered by the Chief of Police or Fire Chief to immediately disconnect the alarm system so that it does not signal the Police or Fire Department either directly or indirectly. An alarm system may be reconnected only if satisfactory evidence is provided to the Chief of Police or Fire Chief that the alarm system has been repaired so that it does not produce further false alarms, and upon payment of all delinquent charges assessed for previous false alarms.
(Ord. 117-98. Passed 7-13-98.)
Any member of the Police Department or Fire Department shall have the authority, at reasonable times and upon prior notice where possible, to enter upon any premises within the City to inspect the installation and operation of an alarm system or an automatic dialing device.
(Ord. 117-98. Passed 7-13-98.)