(A) Each person, firm, or corporation holding a permit for the operation or maintenance of an automatic protection device or signaling device shall be responsible for any false alarms transmitted by the device which they operate or maintain. The Chief of Police or his designee shall maintain a record of all false alarms so transmitted.
(B) Warning; charges.
(1) The village shall issue a warning for the first non-bona fide alarm in any one calendar month period transmitted by any automatic protection device or signaling device.
(2) The village shall charge a fee of $25 for the second non-bona fide alarm in excess of one in any one calendar month period transmitted by an automatic protection device or signaling device. Such charges shall be remitted forthwith to the village by the business or homeowner upon receipt of a statement for such charges.
(3) The village shall charge a fee of $50 for any non-bona fide alarm in excess of two in any one calendar month period transmitted by any automatic protection device or signaling device. Such charges shall be remitted forthwith to the village by the business or homeowner upon receipt of a statement for such charges.
(C) Purpose of enforcement; exemptions.
(1) The purpose of the false alarm ordinance enforcement is to reduce the number of false alarms, to improve alarm reliability and reduce jeopardy to officers, fire service personnel, and citizens.
(2) False alarm includes but is not limited to:
(a) Mechanical failure.
(b) Malfunction
(c) Improper installation, maintenance, or servicing of the alarm system;
(d) Negligent (accidental) set-offs.
(e) Other causes not related to actual/attempted entry or unlawful act.
(3) The following are not considered a false alarm:
(a) Criminal activity, fire, or medical emergency.
(b) Earthquakes, unusually high winds, flooding, lightning, or other acts of God which could affect the alarm system.
(c) Telephone line malfunction, verified by the electric company.
(d) Electrical service interruption verified by the electric company or responding officers.
(e) Prior notification to the Village Police Department for maintenance or testing.
(f) "Malicious false alarms" transmitted without knowledge or consent is not the responsibility of the residence or business.
(4) A grace period of 30 days will be afforded to businesses and residences after installation.
('65 Code, Ch. 17, Art. 4, § 6) (Ord. 65-0-004, passed 6-3-65; Am. Ord. 91-17, passed 7-24-91; Am. Ord. 94-14, passed 6-15-94) Penalty, see § 131.99