For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CHRONIC FALSE ALARM SYSTEMS. An alarm system will be classified as a CHRONIC FALSE ALARM SYSTEM upon either of the following conditions:
(1) Two responses to false alarms at the same location within a six-week period; or
(2) More than four responses to false alarms at the same location within a 52-week period.
FALSE ALARM. The activation of a burglary, robbery, fire or other alarm for the purposes of summoning the Police or Fire Department or which causes the fire or police to be summoned, at a time when no fire, emergency or crime is being committed or attempted on the premises.
(1) False alarms include those caused by:
a. Error mistake. Any action by any person, firm or corporation, or other entity or agency thereof, owning or operating any dwelling, building or place which results in the activation of any alarm system when no emergency exists;
b. Malfunction. Any activation of any alarm system caused by a flaw in the normal operation, design, installation, maintenance of the system, by faulty equipment or by a change in the environment or premises upon or within which the alarm system is operating; and/or
c. Intentional misuse. Any intentional activation of an alarm system when no burglary, robbery, vandalism, fire or other emergency is in progress.
(2) An alarm will not be considered a FALSE ALARM if it is determined that the alarm was caused by:
a. Natural or manmade catastrophe or an act of God. Such events include tornadoes, floods, earthquakes or other similarly violent conditions;
b. Vandalism causing physical damage to the premises;
c. Telephone line outage;
d. Attempted illegal entry of a location causing visible, physical or other evidence of damage to said location;
e. Severe weather causing physical damage to the premises;
f. The testing of a local/audible alarm system by a licensed alarm business agent or employee who is present at the premises servicing, repairing or installing the alarm when such testing does not result in the alarm being activated for an uninterrupted period exceeding 60 seconds and provided that the town has been notified in advance that testing will occur. Notice by telephone or written letter is sufficient.
(Ord. passed 6-14-2001)