A. A "false alarm" is defined as follows: A false alarm occurs when a security system is activated where there is no emergency, whether it is activated wilfully, intentionally, negligently, or inadvertently. It also includes a system activated due to mechanical or electrical malfunction.
A false alarm does not occur when an alarm system is activated by an attempted or actual illegal entry, theft, or robbery; an observable act of vandalism; unusually violent conditions of nature; and testing or repairing of telephone or electrical line or equipment outside the premises, so long as prior notice of the testing or repair is given to the Taylorville police department.
B. Commercial/business alarms and residential alarms shall both be allowed two (2) false alarms in a quarter at no charge. Commercial/business alarms and residential alarms shall be charged a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) for a third and fourth false alarm in a quarter notwithstanding the fees imposed in subsection C of this section.
C. Notwithstanding the fees charged for false alarms of commercial/business alarms and residential alarms set forth in subsection B of this section, fees shall also be imposed for false alarms of commercial/business alarms and residential alarms based on the number of false alarms in a year in the amounts as set forth as follows:
Number Of False Alarms In A Year | Fee Imposed (For Each False Alarm) | |
First 4 | No fee (with the exception that the fees imposed on a quarterly basis as set forth in subsection B of this section shall still apply) | |
5th through 10th | $ 50.00 | |
11th through 15th | 100.00 | |
16th and over | 175.00 | |
(Ord. 3380, 4-21-2008)