As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ALARM
Any electric, electronic, audible or silent alarm system
that provides notification to the Middletown Police Department that
emergency response is required from the Middletown Police Department.
This definition includes robbery, duress, panic, hold-up and silent
alarms but is not limited to those types listed here.
ALARM ADMINISTRATOR
A person or persons designated by the Chief of the Middletown
Police Department to administer, control and review false alarm reduction
efforts and administer the provisions of this chapter.
ALARM REGISTRATION
Authorization granted by the alarm administrator to an alarm
user to operate an alarm system.
ALARM SITE
A single fixed premises or location served by an alarm system
or systems. Each unit, if served by a separate alarm system, in a
multi-unit building or complex shall be considered a separate alarm
site.
ALARM SYSTEM
A device or series of devices, including, but not limited
to, hard-wired systems and systems interconnected with a radio frequency
method such as cellular or private radio signals which emit or transmit
a remote or local audible, visual or electronic signal indicating
an alarm condition and intended to summon the Middletown Police Department,
including local alarm systems. "Alarm system" does not include an
alarm installed in a vehicle or on someone's person unless the
vehicle or the personal alarm is permanently located at a site.
ALARM USER
Any person or entity, who or which has contracted for monitoring,
repair, installation or maintenance service from an alarm installation
company or monitoring company for an alarm system, or who or which
owns or operates an alarm system which is not monitored, maintained
or repaired under contract.
AUTOMATIC VOICE DIALER
Any electrical, electronic, mechanical or other device capable
of being programmed to send a prerecorded voice message, when activated,
over a telephone line, radio or other communication to the Middletown
Police Department, a public safety or emergency services requesting
dispatch.
CANCELLATION
The process whereby response is terminated when a monitoring
company (designated by the alarm user) for the alarm site notifies
the Middletown Police Department that there is not an existing situation
at the alarm site requiring a Middletown Police Department response
after an alarm dispatch request.
FALSE ALARM
An alarm dispatch request to the Middletown Police Department
when no emergency or actual, perceived or threatened criminal activity
requiring immediate response exists. This definition includes, but
is not limited to, signals activated by negligence, accident, mechanical
failure and electrical failure; signals activated intentionally in
nonemergency situations; and signals for which the actual cause of
activation is unknown. Exceptions may include the following:
A.
An individual activated the alarm based upon a reasonable belief
that an emergency or actual threatened criminal activity requiring
immediate response existed;
B.
The alarm system was activated by lightning or an electrical
surge that caused physical damage to the system or if the alarm user
experienced a power outage lasting four hours or greater causing the
alarm to activate upon restoration of power as evidenced by documentation
provided by the Town of Middletown's energy supplier;
C.
There is evidence that the false alarm was caused by an act
of God (i.e., hurricanes, tornados, floods, earthquakes);
D.
There is evidence that the false alarm was caused by an act
of the telephone company;
E.
There is evidence that the dispatch request was not a false
alarm.
FISCAL YEAR
A twelve-month period starting July 1 and ending June 30.
This chapter takes effect on July 1, 2016.
MULTIPLE ALARMS
Multiple alarms within one twenty-four-hour period will be
considered one occurrence.
OCCURRENCE
The number of false alarm requests the Middletown Police
Department responds to during a calendar year.
A.
Multiple alarms within one twenty-four-hour period will be considered
one occurrence.
B.
If the alarm installation company (or monitoring service) provides
cancellation notice to the Middletown Police Department prior to the
unit arriving, this will not be considered a false alarm occurrence.
REASONABLE RESPONSE TIME
Thirty minutes from the time the officer arrives at the activated
alarm and the responder arrives.
RESPONDER
An individual capable of reaching the alarm site within 30
minutes and having access to the alarm site, the code to the alarm
system and the authority to approve repairs to the alarm system.
UNREASONABLE RESPONSE TIME
The designated responder is not able to arrive at the alarm
site within 30 minutes of notification, requiring the Middletown Police
Department to remain at the site until the responder arrives.
UNREGISTERED ALARM RESPONSE
Occurs when Middletown Police Department personnel are requested
to respond to an alarm site that has not registered the alarm system
with the Middletown Police Department.
All fees, fines and revenues collected pursuant to this chapter
shall be contributed to the general revenue fund of the Town of Middletown.