[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Lawrence 9-8-2008; amended in
its entirety at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions,
Art. II). Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
The primary purpose of this chapter is to reduce the incidence
of false alarms by eliminating those false alarms which are preventable
or avoidable. It is also meant to encourage the installation of reliable
emergency alarm systems in all structures within the Town in order
to provide additional protection to persons and property from fire,
crime, including burglary, robbery and vandalism, and others hazards
that may constitute a danger to persons and property. This chapter
is intended to impose standards and requirements for false alarms
from such causes as the negligence of the user of an alarm system
or of his employees in operating the system, the maintenance of equipment
or the sale, installation or servicing of such installations. This
chapter will provide a technique of early detection, which will permit
the Police Department and Fire Department to increase the present
level of protection to persons and property.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
A signal from an alarm system that alerts the Police/Fire
Department that results in an emergency response from the Police/Fire
Department when a situation of emergency does not exist.
An intrusion/burglar alarm system or fire alarm that gives
a signal, either visual or audible or both, on the exterior or interior
portion of the property but does not leave that structure to a central
control receiving location. Not to include detectors such as smoke
detectors/carbon monoxide detectors, medical alarms such as Lifeline®,
septic tank alarms or electrical problem indicators. For the most
part, these are standalone alarms designed to warn persons inside
the structure.
Any device designed to detect a fire or other emergency and
alert the Police Department or Fire Department of such occurrence
and, when activated, gives a signal, either visual or audible, or
transmits or causes to be transmitted an alarm signal, or a combination
of any of the above.
Any device designed for the detection of an unauthorized
entry to the premises, an unlawful act or any emergency that alerts
the Police Department of its commission or occurrence and, when activated,
gives an internal or external signal, either visual or audible, or
transmits or causes to be transmitted a signal, or any combination
of the above.
A.Â
Required. No person shall install or cause to be installed any alarm
system, as defined above, for any premises in the Town until an alarm
permit therefor has been issued by the Town, with the following exception:
not to include detectors such as smoke detectors/carbon monoxide detectors,
medical alarms such as Lifeline®, septic tank alarms or electrical
problem indicators. For the most part, these are standalone alarms
designed to warn persons inside the structure.
B.Â
Application for permit. An application for an alarm permit shall
be provided by the Town and shall require an applicant to furnish
information sufficient to identify the applicant, the location of
the premises to be protected by the alarm system and such other information
as the Police or Fire Department may deem necessary for safe and proper
emergency response. The annual alarm permit fee for a full or partial
calendar year beginning January 1 and expiring December 31 of each
year, in an amount as set from time to time by resolution of the Town
Board, shall be collected at the time of application. A permit shall
be required for each premises alarmed or each separate alarm system
on a single premises.
C.Â
Issuance of alarm permit. The Town Clerk/Treasurer shall issue an
alarm permit to the applicant. The alarm permit shall be issued for
a period not to exceed 12 months, expiring on December 31 of each
year. Applicants that are denied alarm permits may appeal the denial
to the Town Board.
D.Â
Existing alarm systems. For those systems installed on premises within
the Town prior to December 31, 2015, a permit shall be obtained within
60 days after the effective date of this chapter. With respect to
any alarm system installed after the effective date of this chapter,
a permit must be issued before the alarm system is installed.
A.Â
Duty to maintain alarm system. The property owner shall be responsible
for maintaining the alarm system in proper working order.
B.Â
Duty to respond to alarm. The owner of premises protected by an alarm
system must respond to the protected premises within 30 minutes of
notification of an alarm. The owner/key holder is to assist police
officers in gaining access to the building for the purpose of inspection.
The owner/key holder is also responsible for shutting off and/or resetting
the alarm system. Under no circumstances shall a member of the Police
Department or Fire Department reset an alarm. The owner of an alarmed
premises shall provide current information on persons/key holders
to be contacted in the owner's absence.
C.Â
Time delay and shutoff. All security alarm systems shall be equipped
with a twenty-second time delay in cases where the alarm is accidentally
tripped. All local alarms shall be equipped with a fifteen-minute
automatic shutoff or some other secure means of turning off the alarm.
A.Â
Special
charges for false alarms.
(1)Â
After
the alarm system has been installed for 30 days, the owner shall be
subject to a special charge for each false alarm in a twelve-month
period, per calendar year, January 1 through December 31 of each year,
in such amounts as set from time to time by resolution of the Town
Board.
(2)Â
Exceptions:
(a)Â
Municipal
alarms.
(b)Â
False
alarms caused by outside sources.
(c)Â
Detectors
such as smoke detectors/carbon monoxide detectors, medical alarms
(Lifeline®), septic tank alarms or electrical problem indicators.
For the most part, these are standalone alarms designed to warn persons
inside the structure.
(d)Â
Motor
vehicle alarms. This chapter shall not apply to audible alarms affixed
to motor vehicles.
(3)Â
Waiver.
Any special charge may be waived by the Town Clerk/Treasurer or his
designee if the owner can show that:
B.Â
Collection of special charges. Special charges for false alarms, as provided in Subsection A(1) above, shall be billed to the owner and, if not timely paid, shall be placed on the tax roll pursuant to the provisions of § 66.0627, Wis. Stats., for collection and settlement under Ch. 74, Wis. Stats.
A.Â
Permit cancellation;
alarm disconnection. Whenever there is a record of an excessive number
of alarms or the operation of the alarm system is not consistent with
the purpose of this chapter, the Town Clerk/Treasurer or his designee
may, in writing, require the owner to repair or replace the alarm
system within 10 days. If the repair or replacement is not made within
10 days, the Town Clerk/Treasurer or his designee may order the alarm
permit canceled and the alarm disconnected. No person shall continue
to operate an alarm system for which an alarm permit has been canceled.
B.Â
Telephone
alarm dialers. Telephone alarm dialers are not permitted to be programmed
to direct dial the Police or Fire Department, except by special permission
of the Town Clerk/Treasurer or his designee.
C.Â
Limitations
of liability. The Town shall not be liable for any defects in any
alarm system or the central board, or any transmission malfunctions
or delays.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a penalty as provided in § 1-3 of this Code.
