A. The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum standards and regulations applicable to burglar and "holdup alarm systems" and alarm users as defined in this chapter.
B. For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivations shall have the meanings given herein. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words used in the plural number include the singular number, and masculine pronouns include the feminine. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.
ALARM SYSTEM: An assembly of equipment and devices (or a single device such as a solid state unit) arranged to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent attention and to which police or alarm agents are expected to respond. In this chapter the term "alarm system" shall include the terms "automatic holdup alarm system", "burglar alarm systems", "holdup alarm systems", and "manual holdup alarm systems" as those terms are hereinafter defined. Alarm systems which monitor temperature, humidity or any other condition not directly related to the detection of an unauthorized intrusion into a premises are specifically excluded from the provisions of this chapter.
ALARM USER: Any person on whose premises an alarm system is maintained within the city except for alarm systems on motor vehicles or proprietary systems. If, however, an alarm system on a motor vehicle is connected with an alarm system at a premises (other than a proprietary system) the person using such system is an alarm user. Also excluded from this definition and from the coverage of this chapter are persons who use alarm systems to alert or signal persons within the premises in which the alarm system is located, of an attempted unauthorized intrusion or holdup attempt. If such a system, however, employs an audible signal emitting sounds or a flashing light or beacon designed to signal persons outside the premises, such system shall be within the definition of an alarm system and shall be subject to this chapter.
AUTOMATIC HOLDUP ALARM SYSTEM: An alarm system in which the signal transmission is initiated by the action of a robber.
BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEM: Refers to an alarm system signaling an entry or attempted entry into the area protected by the system.
CITY: The city of Waterloo, Iowa.
FALSE ALARM: The activation of an alarm system through careless use by the owner or lessee of an alarm system or by his employees or agents. Such terminology does not include, for example, alarms caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes or other violent conditions.
FISCAL YEAR: From July 1 through June 30 of the subsequent year.
HOLDUP ALARM SYSTEM: Refers to an alarm system signaling a robbery or attempted robbery.
LOCAL ALARM SYSTEM: Refers to a signaling system which when activated causes an audible and/or visual signaling device to be activated in or on the premises within which the system is installed.
MANUAL HOLDUP ALARM SYSTEM: Refers to an alarm system in which the signal transmission is initiated by the direct action of the person attacked or by an observer of the attack.
PERSON: Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, or organization of any kind.
POLICE CHIEF: The chief of the police department of the city, or his designated representative.
POLICE OR POLICE DEPARTMENT: The publicly supported police department of the city, or any authorized agent thereof.
PROPRIETARY SYSTEM: An alarm system sounding and/or recording alarm signals at a control center located within the protected premises, the control center being under the supervision of the proprietor of the protected premises. If a proprietary system includes a signal line connected directly or by means of an automatic dialing device to a police communication center, a central station modified central station, or answering service, it thereby becomes an "alarm system" as defined in this section.
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: That group selected from the city council to form that committee. (Ord. 4454, 1-16-2001)