(a) As used in this Section 143.06, the term “false alarm” shall mean any alarm received by, or referred to, the Police and/or Fire Departments that has resulted from either the mechanical malfunction of an alarm system located within the City or the negligence of the owner of property, or the owner’s agents or employees, in the setting of the alarm system that proximately causes the alarm to register and be received by the Police and/or Fire Departments. Whether or not an alarm received by the Streetsboro Police and/or Fire Departments qualifies as a false alarm is a decision to be made by the Chief of Police with respect to non-fire related alarms and the Fire Chief with respect to fire related alarms after proper investigation of the circumstances surrounding such alarm receipt has been completed by the respective Chief.
(b) As used in this Section 143.06, the term “property” shall mean any real property with respect to non-fire related alarms and non-residential real property with respect to fire related alarms.
(c) With respect to non-fire related alarms, if the Police Department receives in excess of two (2) false alarms within any 30 day period, the owner of the property upon which the alarm system is located shall be charged one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) per false alarm for each and every false alarm received within such period.
(d) With respect to fire related alarms, if the Fire Department receives in excess of one (1) false alarm within any 60 day period, the Fire Chief shall given written notice to the owner of the property upon which the alarm system is located that the City may assess a charge of up to five hundred dollars ($500.00) which is the estimated response cost, per false alarm for each and every false alarm received within the twelve (12) month period subsequent to the written notification. The charge shall not be assessed if the Fire Chief determines that the alarm system was installed or substantially changed within the previous sixty (60) days from the date of the false alarm and the false alarm was not the result of negligence.
(e) The Finance Director shall, upon notification of the respective Chiefs, give five (5) days notice by regular mail to the owner of such property, at the owner’s last known address, to pay the fees set forth herein. If the same is not paid within 30 days after the mailing of such notice, then the amount shall be determined to be delinquent and shall be entered upon the tax list and tax duplicate and shall be a lien on the property. This section does not preclude or limit any other means of collection as permitted by law.
(Ord. 2012-58. Passed 4-30-12.)