(a) Definitions for the purpose of this section:
(1) “Alarm supplier and/or installer” means any person or party who manufacturers, constructs, installs or otherwise prepares emergency alarms to be installed anywhere in the City of St. Marys.
(2) “Emergency alarms” means any alarm system designed to send a signal, recorded or otherwise, which terminates in any manner at the Police Department or any alarm system designed to emit an audible signal at the scene of the installation.
(b) No emergency alarms as defined by subsection (a)(1) hereof shall be installed in the City without prior submission of the application to, and without the prior approval of the Chief of Police to have said emergency alarm installed. A fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) must accompany said application.
(Exception: any alarm installation which will terminate at either a “Central Station” or an answering service will not need an application, but the installer must furnish the Police Department with complete information as to the type of alarm, maintenance service, emergency numbers, etc.)
(c) An annual fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00) will be charged by the City for each and every alarm system which terminates directly at the Police Department, except in the case of a dialer for which there will be no fee. Said fee is to defray costs of maintaining records and telephone lines of same. These fees are due and payable in advance, and it shall be the responsibility of the applicant to have the fee paid on time. Any system for which the City of St. Marys has not received the annual fee by January 30 of the applicable year will be disconnected at the Police Department terminals and the yearly fee will be paid before the terminal will be reconnected.
(d) All “at the scene audible” alarm systems must be installed with a “time-out-timer” which will discontinue the signal after a time period not to exceed fifteen minutes, in order to prevent unnecessary harassment of area residents when it is impossible to locate someone to turn the alarm off.
(e) The subscriber and/or dealer-installer will furnish the Police Department with adequate information to complete the “Emergency Card for Premises which has Alarm System.”
(f) The City shall take every reasonable precaution to assure that emergency alarm signals and pre-recorded alarm messages received by the City are given appropriate and immediate attention. Nevertheless, the City shall not be liable for any defects in operation of emergency alarm systems, for any failure to respond appropriately, or errant response upon receipt of any emergency alarm signal. In the event that the City finds it necessary to disconnect a module or signaling device, the City shall incur no liability therefrom.
(g) It will be the responsibility of any business or company having a hold-up or silent alarm terminating at the Police Department to provide the Chief of Police with their response procedures and of any amendments made in the initial plan.
(Ord. 1996-1. Passed 1-16-96.)