ARTICLE 37:
POLICE EMERGENCY ALARM ORDINANCE

Sec. 3700.	Short Title.
Sec. 3701.	Findings and Statement of Purpose.
Sec. 3702.	Definitions.
Sec. 3703.	Motor Vehicle Alarm System.
Sec. 3704.	Limitations on Audible Alarm Systems.
Sec. 3705.	Back-up Power Supply.
Sec. 3706.	Prohibition Against Alarm Systems Which Emit False Alarms.
Sec. 3707.	License Required; Application; Fee; False Statements; Transferability.
Sec. 3708.	Alarm License Duration and Renewal.
Sec. 3709.	Duties of the Alarm User.
Sec. 3710.	Duties of Alarm Installation Company and Monitoring Company.
Sec. 3710.1.	Additional Duties of Alarm Installation Company.
Sec. 3710.2.	Additional Duties of Alarm Monitoring Company.
Sec. 3710.3.	Collection of License Fee by Alarm Companies.
Sec. 3710.4.	Liability for Fee.
Sec. 3710.5.	Interest and Penalties.
Sec. 3710.6.	Alarm Companies; Failure to Report and Remit Fee; Determination of Fee by Tax Collector.
Sec. 3710.7.	Refunds.
Sec. 3710.8.	Failure to Pay Fee; Administrative Remedy.
Sec. 3710.9.	Administrative Agreements.
Sec. 3711.	License or Licensing.
Sec. 3712.	Duties and Authority of the Director of Emergency Management and the Tax Collector.
Sec. 3713.	License Administration, Suspension and Revocation.
Sec. 3714.	Penalties.
Sec. 3715.	Notification.
Sec. 3716.	Appeals.
Sec. 3717.	Reinstatement.
Sec. 3718.	Enforcement.
Sec. 3719.	Government Immunity.
Sec. 3720.	Licenses.
Sec. 3721.	Initial Implementation.
Sec. 3722.	Severability.

 

SEC. 3700. SHORT TITLE.

   This ordinance shall be known as "The Police Emergency Alarm Ordinance."

(Added by Ord. 154-02, File No. 021078, App. 7/12/2002)

(Former Sec. 3700 added by Ord. 524-83, App. 11/4/83; repealed by Ord. 154-02, File No. 021078, App. 7/12/2002)

SEC. 3701. FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.

   The Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco finds and declares that:

   (a)   The vast majority of emergency alarms to which law enforcement officials respond are false alarms. Most false alarms are the result of improper maintenance or improper or careless use of an alarm system.

   (b)   The public and the police are subjected to needless danger when the police are called to respond to false alarms. In addition, police officers responding to false alarms are not available to carry out other police duties. In the interest of using limited law enforcement resources most effectively and efficiently, the number of false alarms can and must be reduced.

   (c)   The purpose of this Article is to reduce the dangers and annoyances associated with the use of particular types of alarm systems and to encourage property owners to maintain their systems in good working condition and to use them properly.

   (d)   A prolonged sound from an audible alarm system fixed to a motor vehicle is a public nuisance.

(Added by Ord. 154-02, File No. 021078, App. 7/12/2002)

(Former Sec. 3701 added by Ord. 524-83, App. 11/4/83; repealed by Ord. 154-02, File No. 021078, App. 7/12/2002)