The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this Chapter:
ALARM: Any audible, visual, electronic or other signal indicating the occurrence of an emergency.
ALARM SYSTEM: Any device designed to detect the occurrence of an emergency and to transmit an alarm, or any device designed to transmit an alarm upon being activated by a person. Alarm systems include, but are not limited to, burglar alarms, hold-up alarms, fire alarms, automatic dialing systems and systems utilizing an operator or central location to which signals are transferred.
ALARM USER: The property owner or person in control of any building, structure or facility or portion thereof wherein an alarm system is maintained.
AUTOMATIC DIALING SYSTEM: Any alarm system which upon being activated automatically transmits by telephone line a recorded message or code signal indicating the occurrence of an emergency, or the need for a response to an emergency.
EMERGENCY: The occurrence of fire, smoke or combustion; unlawful forced entry or burglary; robbery or other violent crime; flood, tornado, earthquake or other natural disaster.
FALSE ALARM: The transmission by an alarm system of an alarm when an emergency does not exist. False alarms shall not include alarms activated by:
A. Criminal activity or unauthorized entry;
B. Earthquake, hurricane or tornado winds causing structure damage to the protected premises;
C. Flooding of the protected premises;
D. Lightning;
E. Fire causing damage to the protected premises;
F. Occasional telephone line malfunction, not repeated unrepaired line trouble.
If a false alarm has been identified to the Minooka Police Department to be a false alarm, or authorized system test, or resulting from any other nonemergency cause, prior to the time that a Minooka police officer is dispatched to investigate the alarm, then the alarm shall not be considered a false alarm for the purposes of this Chapter.
There shall be a rebuttal presumption that an alarm is a false alarm if the Police Department officers responding to the alarm check the premises upon which the alarm system is installed, according to standard Minooka Police Department procedures, and do not discover any evidence of an unauthorized entry, criminal activity or other emergency.
A false alarm transmitted by a newly installed or modified alarm system shall not be considered a false alarm for the purposes of this Chapter, if the false alarm is transmitted within fourteen (14) days of the installation or modification to the alarm system.
KEY HOLDER: A person authorized by the alarm user to have access to the protected premises and alarm system by use of a key or combination.
PERSON: Any individual, corporation, partnership, organization, firm, association or other entity. (Ord. 1993-10, 8-10-1993)