(a) Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
(1) “Alarm” means any alarm signal of a local nature (bell, siren, etc.) or forwarded by an alarm company monitoring center, requiring the response of the Village of Shawnee Hills Police Department or the appropriate township fire division.
(2) “False alarm” means those calls for police or fire service as detailed in the definition of alarm, which are erroneously transmitted or sounded due to mechanical, electrical or human error. “False alarms” shall be in two categories: nonchargeable and chargeable.
A. “Non-chargeable false alarms” shall include those alarms which are transmitted or sounded due to weather conditions, power or telephone outages. Calls made to the central police dispatch facility canceling the appropriate police or fire service response prior to their arrival to the scene of the call shall constitute a non-chargeable false alarm.
B. “Chargeable false alarms” shall include those alarms which are transmitted or sounded due to human error or equipment malfunction(s) not included in subsection (a)(2)B. above.
(3) “Interconnected alarm system” means an alarm system which directly or indirectly automatically or manually, uses a telephone line or cable line or radio frequency pathway to transmit an alarm or message upon activation by the alarm system.
(4) “Local alarm system” means an alarm system that when activated only sounds a horn, bell, buzzer or other type of visible alarm that is designed to be audible or visible beyond the premises being served, but which does not result in the transmission of a signal to any other location.
(b) Violations.
(1) No person or organization shall allow more than two chargeable false alarms to be transmitted during the immediately preceding six-month period.
(2) Following two chargeable false alarms within a six month period, the person or organization owning, renting or leasing such system shall be held responsible for the next chargeable false alarm in the six month period.
(3) Following three chargeable false alarms within a six month period, the person or organization owning, renting or leasing such system shall be held responsible for the next chargeable false alarms in the six month period.
(4) Whoever violates subsection (b)(2) hereof is guilty of permitting false alarms, a minor misdemeanor.
(5) Whoever violates subsection (b)(3) hereof is guilty of permitting continuing false alarms, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(Ord. 7-96. Passed 11-11-96.)