For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACT OF GOD. An inevitable accident, or a casualty; any accident produced by any physical cause which is irresistible, such as lightning, tempest, perils of the seas and inundation or earthquake; not preventable by human care, skill or foresight, but resulting from natural causes.
ALARM COMPANY. Any person engaged in the activity of selling, leasing, renting, installing, inspecting, maintaining, repairing, monitoring and/or responding to alarm systems within the city. An ALARM COMPANY in this instance shall not include any business which sells on a retail basis from a fixed location or that manufactures or distributes alarm equipment at wholesale, unless the business also installs, services, monitors and/or responds to alarm systems within the city.
ALARM NOTIFICATION. A notification intended to summon the police, which is designed either to be initiated purposely by a person or by an alarm system that responds to a stimulus characteristic of unauthorized intrusion.
ALARM SITE. A single premises or location (one street address) served by an alarm system that is under the control of one owner.
ALARM SYSTEM.
(1) A device or system that emits, transmits or relays a signal intended to summon, or that would reasonably be expected to summon, police services of the city, including, but not limited to local alarms.
(2) ALARM SYSTEM does not include:
(a) An alarm installed on a vehicle unless the vehicle is permanently located at a site;
(b) An alarm designated to alert only the inhabitants of a premises which upon activation cannot be seen or heard from a distance greater than ten feet from the protected premises; or
(c) An
ALARM SYSTEM owned or operated by the Police Department, including but not limited to alarm surveillance equipment used outside of the Police Department facilities.
(3) ALARM SYSTEMS as defined and used herein are classified as follows.
(a) CLASS A SYSTEMS. Upon activation, provide for signaling to an alarm monitoring facility owned, operated or utilized by an alarm company, regardless of its location.
(b) CLASS B SYSTEMS. Upon activation, cause an external signaling device of any type to be seen or heard from beyond ten feet of the protected premises, or any other type of alarm system which upon activation as its purpose the summoning of police response.
(c) CLASS C SYSTEMS. Upon activation, provide for direct signaling to a console or other receiving equipment located for such purpose at any emergency department of the city.
CHIEF. The Chief of Police or his or her authorized representative.
CRIMINAL OFFENSE. A criminal offense as defined in the State Penal Code.
FALSE ALARM NOTIFICATION. An alarm notification responded to by the Police Department, when the responding officer finds no evidence of unauthorized intrusion, attempted unauthorized intrusion, robbery, attempted robbery or an attempt to take a person hostage, unless the false alarm notification is caused by a power outage or act of God which is beyond the control of the permit holder and the condition can be verified by the permit holder.
PERMIT HOLDER. The person designated in the permit application who shall be the owner or lawful tenant of the alarm site or his or her authorized representative.
SPECIAL TRUNK LINE. A telephone line leading into the communications center of the Police Department that is for the primary purpose of receiving emergency messages that originate from automatic protection devices and are transmitted directly or through an intermediary.
USER'S RESPONDING AGENT. A person designated in the alarm permit application as provided for in § 90.15.
(Ord. 460, passed 2-11-1986)