For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALARM SIGNAL. A detectable signal, either audible or visual, generated by an alarm system, to which law enforcement officers are expected to respond.
ALARM SYSTEM. Any single device or assembly of equipment designed to signal the occurrence of an illegal entry, theft, robbery or any activity requiring the immediate attention and to which the Office of Sheriff is expected to respond, but does not include alarms installed on motor vehicles or fire alarms.
ALARM USER. Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, proprietorship, governmental or educational entity or any other entity owning or leasing an alarm system, or on whose premises an alarm system is maintained for the protection of the premises.
AUTOMATIC DIAL PROTECTION DEVICE. An automatic dialing device or an automatic telephone dialing alarm system including any system which, upon being activated, automatically initiates to any law enforcement agency or public safety communications center a recorded message or code signal indicating a need for law enforcement response.
COUNTY. The County of Wake or its designee.
FALSE ALARM. The activation of an alarm system through mechanical or electronic failure, malfunction, improper installation or the negligence of the alarm user, his or her employees or agents, and signals activated to summon law enforcement personnel unless law enforcement response was canceled by the alarm user or his or her employee or his or her agent before law enforcement personnel arrived at the alarm location. FALSE ALARM shall not include an alarm which can reasonably be determined to have been caused or activated by unusually violent conditions of nature nor does it include other extraordinary circumstances not reasonably subject to control by the alarm user. An alarm is false within the meaning of this chapter when, upon inspection by law enforcement personnel of the Sheriff, evidence indicates that no unauthorized entry, robbery or other such crime was committed or attempted in or on the premises which would have activated a properly functioning alarm system.
SHERIFF. The Sheriff of Wake County, the Office of Sheriff of Wake County, or his or her designee.
(Ord. O-96-5, passed 4-1-1996)