For the purpose of this chapter the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
"ALARM COORDINATORS." The Chiefs of the Police Department and Fire Department or their designees.
"ALARM SUBSCRIBER." The person, firm, corporation, partnership, organization or association of any kind in control of any building, structure, facility, premises or property or portion thereof, wherein an alarm system is maintained.
"ALARM SYSTEM." Any device, mechanical, electrical, or combination thereof which is connected directly or indirectly to the Police or Fire Department which is used to signal an unauthorized entry, other illegal act or a fire or medical emergency in which immediate response is expected. Alarm system also includes any device which is audible, commonly referred to as outside ringers, automatic dialers or systems which are monitored by any third party which in turn notifies the Police and/or Fire Department, or any device so visible or in other ways perceptible outside a protected building, structure or facility as to notify persons in the area to notify the Police or Fire Department of any emergency or immediate response situation. This definition does not apply to motor vehicles which are alarmed.
"ALARM SYSTEM BUSINESS." Any business, corporation, firm or person which in whole or part sells, leases, maintains, services, repairs, alters, replaces, moves or installs alarm systems.
"FALSE ALARM."
(A) A signal from any alarm system eliciting a response by the Police or Fire Department when a situation requiring such a response does not in fact exist. A false alarm may be caused by, but shall not be limited to:
(1) Mechanical failure;
(2) Malfunction of the alarm system;
(3) Improper installation, maintenance or servicing of the alarm system;
(4) Negligent act of a person under the control, direction or employ of the alarm subscriber; or
(5) Any other cause not related to actual or attempted unauthorized entry of the premises, the commission of an unlawful act, or a fire or medical emergency.
(B) Alarms resulting from the following conditions shall not be considered false alarms:
(1) Criminal activity, or a fire or medical emergency;
(2) Earthquakes, unusually high winds, flooding, lightning or other acts of God which could affect the alarm system;
(3) Telephone line malfunction verified in writing to the Alarm Coordinators by at least a first line telephone company supervisor;
(4) Electrical service interruption verified in writing to the Alarm Coordinator by the local power company unless it is completely obvious to the responding officers that indeed a power interruption has occurred; or
(5) Notification made to the Police Department and/or Fire Department prior to any maintenance or testing.
"MALICIOUS FALSE ALARM." An activation of an alarm system through the intentional action of any person having direct knowledge that no actual emergency situation requiring assistance from the Police or Fire Department exists at the time and location of said alarm activation. This shall not include those situations in which the person activating the alarm shall be in error due to information related by a third party, or shall act in response to a perceived emergency that on further examination may not in fact be of an emergency nature.
"TRUNK LINE" A telephone line leading into the communications center of the Police Department or Fire Department that is for the primary purpose of receiving emergency messages that originate from automatic protection devices and are transmitted directly or through an alarm monitoring company.
(Ord. 2062-90, passed 9-5-90)