[Ord. No. 1522, § 1, 9-17-1992]
This article may be designated and/or cited as The Alarm Systems
Code of the City of Bellefontaine Neighbors.
[Ord. No. 1522, § 1, 9-17-1992; Ord. No. 1874 § 1, 2-15-2001]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meaning and definitions hereinafter provided:
(a)
Alarm system means any mechanical or electrical device which
is designed to be actuated manually or automatically upon the detection
of an unauthorized entry, intrusion, or other emergency in or on any
building, structure, facility or premises through the emission of
a sound or transmission of a signal or message.
(b)
Alarm user means a person who uses an alarm system to protect
any building, structure, facility or premises.
(c)
Audible alarm means an alarm system equipped with an exterior
sound-producing device such as a gong, buzzer, siren, bell or horn.
(d)
Automatic dialing device means an alarm system which automatically
dials a specific telephone number and transmits an emergency message
by recording over regular telephone lines when actuated.
(e)
Chief of police means the Chief of the Bellefontaine Neighbors
Police Department and includes his duly authorized agents.
(f)
Department means the Bellefontaine Neighbors Police Department.
(g)
Direct signal alarm system means an alarm system which provides
for a special telephone line that is directly connected to a police
department and has an outlet at the department which emits a sound
or transmits a signal, or both, when actuated.
(h)
False alarm means any activation of an alarm system intentionally
or by inadvertence, negligence or unintentional act to which police
department personnel respond, including activation caused by the malfunction
of the alarm system, except that the following circumstances shall
not be considered false alarms:
(1)
When
the chief of police determines that an alarm has been caused by damage,
testing or repair of telephone equipment or lines by a telephone company,
provided that such incidents are promptly reported by the company
which caused them.
(2)
When
an alarm is caused by an attempted and unauthorized or illegal entry
of which there is visible evidence.
(3)
When
an alarm is intentionally caused by a person at the premises acting
under a reasonable belief that a need for calling emergency or police
personnel.
(4)
When
an alarm is followed by notice to the police department canceling
the alarm by giving proper information, prior to the arrival of police
or emergency personnel at the source of the alarm.
(5)
When
the alarm is caused by an act of God, such as earthquake, flood, wind-storm,
thunder or lightning.
[Ord. No. 1522, § 1, 9-17-1992]
(a)
All false alarms to which the police department responds shall result
in the following charges to the alarm user:
(1)
For the first false alarm in a calendar year there shall be no charge,
but a warning shall be issued.
(2)
A fifteen-dollar ($15.00) service charge for the second false alarm
at a premises in any calendar year.
(3)
A twenty-dollar ($20.00) service charge for the third false alarm
at a premises in any calendar year.
(4)
A twenty-five-dollar ($25.00) service charge for the fourth and any
subsequent false alarm at a premises in any calendar year.
(b)
Upon determination by the police department that a false alarm has
occurred, the police department shall send a notice to the alarm user
notifying the alarm user of the determination and directing the payment
within ten (10) days of any service charge that may be due.
(c)
The police department shall cancel any notice or service charge upon satisfactory proof by the alarm user that a particular alarm falls within the exceptions enumerated in section 5-92(h)(1) through (5), above.
(d)
Refusal to pay such a service charge within ten (10) days of such
notice shall constitute a violation of this section.
[Ord. No. 1522, § 1, 9-17-1992]
(a)
All direct signal alarm systems which connect to the police department
are prohibited, except for federal institutions which are required
to have such an alarm system under federal law.
(b)
Any federal institution which is permitted to have a direct signal
alarm system shall be required to pay for all costs for the installation,
maintenance and repair of the alarm system.
[Ord. No. 1522, § 1, 9-17-1992]
