The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this subchapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning.
ALARM SYSTEM. Any mechanical or electrical device that is arranged, designed or used to signal the occurrence in the city of a burglary, robbery or other criminal offense, fire emergency, or medical emergency requiring urgent attention and to which law enforcement, fire or emergency medical personnel are expected to respond. ALARM SYSTEMS include, but are not limited to, those through which public safety personnel are notified directly of the signals through automatic recording devices and those which are connected to out-of-town security agencies, which then call the city’s 911 center by telephone. This definition shall not include alarm systems in private dwellings or residences, nor shall it include telephone calls from private individuals concerning a possible burglary, robbery or other criminal offense, fire emergency or medical emergency requiring urgent attention and to which law enforcement, fire or emergency medical personnel are expected to respond.
ALARM USER. Any person who purchases, leases, contracts for or obtains an alarm system.
ALARM VENDOR. Any person associated with an alarm business or company, either indirectly or directly, whose duties include but are not limited to any of the following: selling, replacing, moving, repairing, maintaining or installing an alarm system on or in any structure, building or facility.
FALSE ALARM. Any alarm signal eliciting a response by emergency personnel where a situation requiring an emergency response by the emergency personnel does not in fact exist, but does not include an alarm signal caused by violent conditions of nature or other extraordinary circumstances not
reasonably subject to control by the alarm business operator or alarm user. Alarms resulting from a utility service malfunction or interruption, verified in writing by the local utility company manager, shall be considered an exception to this definition. The final determination of whether or not an alarm signal is a false alarm shall be made by the Chief of Police.
NEW OR ALTERED ALARM SYSTEM. An alarm system which had installed a different or additional method of detection which the previous alarm system did not contain.
(Prior Code, § 20-31) (Am. Ord. 3789, § 1, 5-18-2010)