Intrusion, hold-up and fire alarms within the City that require
an emergency response from either or both the Fire Department and
Police Department poses a risk to the public's safety. There continues
to be an increase in the number of false alarms to which the police
and Fire Departments must respond, which impacts negatively on the
Police and Fire Departments' availability to respond to an actual
emergency.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Any person whose property is protected by an alarm system.
Any alarm signal which is not due to an actual emergency,
requiring an immediate Fire Department response. This includes, but
is not limited to, any signal emitted by a negligently activated alarm
system, or by an alarm system deliberately activated when an immediate
Fire Department response is not required, or by a malfunctioning alarm
system.
An alarm signal which is not due to an actual or attempted
robbery or other serious and felonious crime, requiring an immediate
police response. This includes, but is not limited to, any signal
emitted by a negligently activated alarm system, or by an alarm system
deliberately activated when an immediate police response is not required.
Any alarm signal which is not due to an actual or attempted
unauthorized entry upon property, requiring an immediate police response.
This includes, but is not limited to, any signal emitted by a negligently
activated alarm system, or by an alarm system deliberately activated
when an immediate police response is not required, or by a malfunctioning
alarm system.
Any mechanism or device designed for the detection of smoke
or fire in or upon any property, other than a motor vehicle or vessel,
and when activated, emits an audible, visual, electronic or other
signal, and; calls for a response by the Fire Department.
Any mechanism or device that has a direct or indirect connection
which calls for a response from the Police Department.
Any mechanism or device which has a direct or indirect connection,
calls for a response from the Police Department, and; is designed
for the detection of an unauthorized entry upon any property, other
than a motor vehicle or vessel, and which, when activated, emits an
audible, visual, electronic or other signal.
(a)Â
The City shall charge a fee for each false alarm to which the Police
Department or Fire Department responds in accordance with the following
schedule:
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First false alarm: $0.
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Second false alarm: $25.
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Third false alarm: $80.
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Each additional alarm: $200.
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For the purposes of this section, the number of false alarms
shall be based upon a twelve-month period.
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(b)Â
If any person fails to pay the false alarm fee within 10 days after
receiving written demand to do so, the City reserves the right to
collect such false alarm fee as otherwise permitted by law. Within
the ten-day period, the user may appeal the imposition of the false
alarm fee to the Chief of Police and the Fire Chief, who may abate
or reduce the fee upon good cause shown. The decision of the responsible
Chief shall be final.
All new alarm systems will have a one-month grace period from
the false alarm provisions of this article.
