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RESIDENTIAL ALARM SYSTEMS. 27-1. Definitions. 27-2. Operation and Control of Alarm Systems. 27-3. False Alarms. 27-4. False Alarm Notification and Penalty.
For the purpose of this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section: (a) "Alarm Signal." The activation of an alarm system that requires a response by the police or fire department. (b) "Alarm System." Any assembly of equipment, mechanical or electrical, that emits, transmits or relays a signal intended to summon to the site of the alarm system the police or fire department, including devices activated automatically, such as burglary and ambulance services alarms, and devices activated manually, such as holdup alarms, but not including telephone lines maintained and operated by public utilities under the regulation of the Public Service Commission over which such signals may be transmitted, an alarm designed to alert only persons occupying the site of the alarm system or alarm systems installed in motor vehicles or boats. (c) "Alarm User." A person legally entitled to possession of the residential property upon which is located an alarm system. (d) "City Manager." All references to the City Manager shall be deemed to include the City Manager or any person designated by the City Manager to administer the provisions of this chapter. (e) "Code Enforcement Officer." Any person designated by the City Manager responsible for the enforcement of this chapter. (f) "False Alarm." Any activation of an alarm system by inadvertence, negligence or the intentional or unintentional act of a person to which police, fire or ambulance services respond and their existed at the inception of the alarm no fire, crime in process, medical emergency or other activity necessitating a response. Signals which are activated by unusually severe weather conditions or fluctuation in the electricity supplied by a regulated utility company and beyond the control of the alarm user or alarm business shall not be deemed false alarms. (g) "Person". Any individual, partnership, corporation, association, political subdivision or other entity of any kind. Sec. 27-2. Operation and Control of Alarm Systems. All persons owning or operating an alarm system within the City shall have the following duties and responsibilities as respects such system: (a) To keep and maintain the system in good operating condition, order and repair. (b) To keep and maintain at the site of the alarm system a complete set of written operating instructions for such system. (c) To provide training and instructions to individuals customarily occupying the site of the alarm system in its proper operation. (d) To cooperate with the City in preventing or minimizing the number of false alarms originating from the site of the alarm system. (e) The alarm user shall make provision for silcencing the local audible alarm within thirty (30) minutes from the time the signal is received by the police or fire department, but in no event more than sixty (60) minutes after the alarm is activated, either automatically or by an authorized person. A violation of this Section shall be a municipal infraction, the penalty for which shall be as prescribed in Section 27-4. More than two (2) false alarms in a calendar year from any alarm system located within the City shall be a municipal infraction, the penalty for which shall be as prescribed in Section 27-4. Sec. 27-4. False Alarm Notification and Penalty. Violations of this Chapter are municipal infractions subject to the penalty and enforcement provisions of Chapter 1, Sections 6 and 6A of this Code. (Sec. 27-5 amended by O-17-94, adopted 10/3/94). (a) a person owning or operating an alarm system within the City shall be subject to notice, warnings and penalties for false alarms emitting from an alarm system within a twelve (12) month period as follows:
(b) All penalties imposed under Subsection (a) of this Section shall be paid within fourteen (14) calendar days of the date of notice. (c) No action shall be taken against any person for a false alarm occurring within thirty (30) days following the initial installation of an alarm system. (Chapter 27 amended by O-11-95, adopted 8/2/95). |
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