A. Service Charge: When an alarm user’s system shall cause false alarms, a service charge for those false alarms received by the village within a twelve (12) month period shall be made to the subscriber based on the rates listed in this section. Upon receipt of the third false alarm from a subscriber within a twelve (12) month period, the fire and inspection department shall send notice to the subscriber placing them on notice that the next false alarm shall require payment of a fee. In the event six (6) or more false alarms are received within a twelve (12) month period by the village, the fire and inspection department shall cause a written warning to be sent to the alarm user notifying him of the number and dates of the false alarms. If further false alarms are received, the fire and inspection department is empowered to direct that the alarm be disconnected from the PSAP except that alarms otherwise required by law shall not be disconnected. When a subscriber of any other alarm business or alarm user shall cause false alarms, a service charge for those false alarms received by the village within a twelve (12) month period shall be made to the subscriber based on the rates listed in this section. The billing for the twelve (12) month period shall be renewed January 1 of each year.
B. False Alarm Service Charge Rates:
Number Of False Alarms | |||
1 - 3 | 4 - 5 | 6 or more | |
Service charge within the village of West Dundee | No charge | $100.00 | $200.00 |
1. Trouble alarms that meet the criteria of “false alarms” are charged at a flat rate of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each occurrence after the third signal. The fire department shall evaluate and determine the duration of an occurrence as trouble signals can become multiple signals.
2. Billing for false alarm fees shall indicate the date, time, and nature of each false alarm response, and shall specify the amount of fees owing.
3. Alarm users may within ten (10) days of receiving a bill for false alarm fees submit a written report to the fire and inspection department specifically stating which false alarms were caused by circumstances beyond the user’s control. The alarm user shall also submit documentation to support the report and specifically state what steps have been taken to prevent further false alarms.
4. The fire and inspection department shall have thirty (30) days to review the report, and shall determine if the false alarm or alarms were preventable or not preventable. If the fire and inspection department determines the false alarm or alarms were not preventable, the alarm user shall not be required to pay the false alarm service charge. If the fire and inspection department finds the false alarm or alarms were preventable, the alarm user shall pay the false alarm service charge fee within thirty (30) days or shall be subject to disconnection or revocation of his permit.
(Ord. 14-30, 8-4-2014; amd. Ord. 2023-25, 8-21-2023)