(A) 
The purpose of this article is to encourage alarm users and alarm companies to maintain the operational reliability and proper use of alarm systems thereby reducing or eliminating false alarm dispatch requests. The inherent difficulties and malfunctions associated with such mechanically or electronically activated alarm systems result in unnecessary or false alarm activation and consequently require unnecessary responses by the Police and/or Fire Departments. Such unnecessary responses severely impact and endanger the safety and welfare of the residents of the Village. In addition to the significant cost involved in responding to such alarms and the concurrent loss of personnel resources and ineffective utilization of equipment, such alarms require emergency responses that may contribute to a high accident rate.
(B) 
This article governs residential and nonresidential systems intended to summon Police and/or Fire Department responses, imposes permit requirements, establishes fees, provides for fines and penalties for violations, establishes a system of administration, and sets conditions for suspension or loss of permits. A system of graduated fees for Police and/or Fire Department responses to alarms serves the dual purpose of encouraging the cessation of false alarms and of charging the cost of such alarms to that portion of the population wishing to use them.
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this article:
ALARM ADMINISTRATOR
The Police Department employee, assigned by the Village Manager, who is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the provisions of this article.
ALARM OCCURRENCE
The activation of an alarm system for, or as a result of, any reason whatsoever that notifies the Police and/or Fire Departments to respond to the premises at which the alarm system exists.
ALARM SYSTEM
Any assemblage of mechanical or electrical equipment or devices (or a single device such as a solid state unit which plugs directly into a one-hundred-ten-volt AC line and/or is battery powered) arranged to signal the presence of a fire, hazard, occurrence of an unauthorized intrusion or other activity requiring urgent and immediate attention. The term "alarm system" shall include, but shall not be limited to: "automatic holdup alarm systems," "burglar alarm systems," "holdup alarm systems," "fire alarm systems," "medical emergency alarm systems," and "outside ringers." The following alarm systems are specifically excluded from the provisions of this article: motor vehicle alarm systems; alarm systems which monitor temperature, humidity or any other condition not directly related to the detection of an unauthorized intrusion into a premises, an attempted robbery or burglary at a premises, a fire, fire alarm supervisory and trouble signals, or a medical emergency at a premises; and alarm systems that, upon activation, do not transmit or cause to be transmitted any message or signal to the Police or Fire Department.
ALARM USER
The person, family, household, firm, entity, partnership, association, corporation, company, organization or state, or subdivision thereof, in possession or control of any building, structure, facility or property in the Village where an alarm system is currently being maintained or is hereafter maintained.
ALARM USER PERMIT
A permit issued by the Village for the privilege and ability to operate an alarm system within the Village.
CENTRAL STATION FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
A system or group of systems in which the operations of circuits and devices are transmitted automatically to, recorded in, maintained by, and supervised from a signal-gathering center that has competent and experienced servers and operators who, upon receipt of a signal, take such action as necessary. Such service is controlled and operated by a person, firm, or corporation whose business, at least in part, is furnishing, maintaining, or monitoring of supervised fire alarm systems.
DIRECT DIALER/AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE DIALER
A feature of an alarm system that utilizes a telephone device or attachment to automatically select a telephone trunk line at the Police Department and reproduces a prerecorded message to report an alarm occurrence.
FALSE ALARM
An alarm occurrence that was caused by human error or mechanical failure or malfunction to summon aid or to alert others, to which the Police or Fire Department responded and for which no emergency or other situation requiring an immediate response by the Police or Fire Department existed.
FALSE ALARM DISPATCH
An alarm dispatch to the Police and/or Fire Department for which the responding officer finds no evidence of a criminal offense, or attempted criminal offense, or for which the responding firefighter finds no evidence of fire or smoke conditions which would have caused a fire alarm after having completed a timely investigation of the alarm site.
FALSE ALARM FEE
The amount of money determined by the Board of Trustees to be reasonable compensation for the services assumed by the Village in responding to a false alarm dispatch.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
A system or portion of a combination of systems that consists of components and circuits arranged to monitor and transmit the status of fire alarm or supervisory signal-initiating devices and to initiate the appropriate response to those signals.
LOCAL ALARMS
Those alarms that create an audible sound on a premises when triggered and do not send a signal to any off-site location.
OUTSIDE RINGER/LOCAL ALARM
A feature of an alarm system that, when activated, causes an audible and/or visual device to activate in, on or near the premises within which the alarm system is maintained.
RADIO ALARM SYSTEM
A system in which signals are transmitted from a radio alarm transmitter located at a protected premises through a radio channel to two or more radio alarm repeater station receivers and that are transmitted by a radio alarm supervising station receiver located at the remote station.
REMOTE SUPERVISING STATION FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
A system installed in accordance with this article to transmit alarm, supervisory, and trouble signals from one or more protected premises to the Fire Department dispatch center.
(A) 
Permit; fee. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to lease, use, or own an alarm system or be in control of premises where an alarm system is operated or maintained without first having paid a user fee to the Village of Lincolnwood. There shall be an initial and annual renewal fee for an alarm user permit in the amounts set forth in the Annual Fee Resolution.[1] The permit may be transferred during the year to a new resident or owner of the premises, provided that no alterations are made to the alarm system. Government agencies shall be exempt from the user fee.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. A25, Fees.
(B) 
Application. The alarm system user applying for the permit required pursuant to Section 5-2-3(A) of this Code shall file an application therefor, on a form to be provided by the Village Police Department, which application shall contain, without limitation, the following information:
(1) 
The name and address of the applicant.
(2) 
The name and address of the premises where the alarm system is located.
(3) 
The telephone number listed to that premises.
(4) 
The type of alarm system (local, direct connect, central station, etc.).
(5) 
The name, address and telephone number of the person, firm or corporation that installed the alarm system and of the person, firm or corporation responsible for the maintenance and repair of the alarm system.
(6) 
The names, addresses and telephone numbers of at least three persons responsible for the premises where the alarm system is located and who should be contacted to deactivate the alarm system (each a "keyholder"). At any given time, at least one of the keyholders must be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
(C) 
Violation. Any alarm system user who operates an alarm system without first obtaining a permit as required by this section, or who, after having a permit revoked/suspended operates an alarm system, shall be in violation of this article. Each day that violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
(D) 
Removal of alarm system. In addition to any other remedy provided by law, the Police Chief and/or Fire Chief may, whenever they have knowledge of any alarm system not operated or maintained in accordance with the provisions of this article, take all necessary steps, including an action at law or in equity, to prevent the operation, or effect the removal, of such alarm system.
(E) 
Permit term/late fee. All permits/fees shall be due annually on July 1. No permit will be approved until the required fee is paid. In the event any alarm user/owner fails to pay the required permit fee by the date specified, a late fee will be assessed in the amount set forth in the Annual Fee Resolution.[2] Failure to pay the fee may result in the revocation/suspension of the alarm user permit.
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. A25, Fees.
Alarm systems shall meet the following requirements:
(A) 
Delay mechanism required. Every burglar alarm system shall be equipped with an alarm delay mechanism on all ingress and egress doorways that allows at least a fifteen-second delay before activation of an audible alarm, or the transmitting of a message or signal to the Police and/or Fire Department. No delay mechanism shall be required for any fire or medical emergency alarm component of an alarm system.
(B) 
Current information required. The alarm system user/owner shall be responsible to update information on the alarm permit application within 10 days after any of the information required and contained therein becomes outdated and inaccurate.
(C) 
Fire alarm system required. Fire alarm systems shall be installed when and as required by the currently adopted building and fire codes The fire alarm system shall be connected to the Fire Department dispatch center by radio connection.
(D) 
Fire alarm system maintained. Fire alarm systems shall be inspected and maintained as required pursuant to the building and fire regulations pursuant to Chapter 14 of this Code.
(E) 
Radio connection for remote station alarms. All alarm systems that transmit a signal to the Village Police Department by a dedicated telephone line must be upgraded to become, or be replaced by, a radio alarm system by December 31, 2012.
(F) 
Radio connection for central station alarms. Notwithstanding Section 5-2-4(E) of this Code, all existing central station fire alarm systems may be maintained without an upgrade or replacement until one of the following events occurs:
(1) 
A central station fire alarm system is substantially improved. Such substantial improvements include, but are not limited to, replacing or improving a central station fire alarm's panel or smoke and/or burglar detectors;
(2) 
The property or building at issue is reclassified as a higher-risk occupancy class pursuant to provisions of the International Fire Code, as adopted by Chapter 14 of this Code ; or
(3) 
In the opinion of the Fire Chief, or his or her designees, such connection is necessary due to an increased life safety hazard.
(A) 
Fees.
(1) 
The user of any alarm system shall be assessed a fee for each false alarm in excess of three false alarms per calendar year in the amounts set forth in the Annual Fee Resolution.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. A25, Fees.
(2) 
Upon each alarm occurrence of an alarm system for which there have been three or more false alarms during the preceding 12 months, the alarm user of such alarm system shall, upon request, meet the responding officer at the location of the alarm system.
(B) 
Additional charges. Alarm users will be invoiced on a quarterly basis for charges incurred. The above charges will be paid to the Village within 30 days from the invoice date. Any alarm user that fails to pay the above charges will be subject to prosecution in the Village's administrative hearing system or in a court of competent jurisdiction.
(C) 
Nonchargeable alarm dispatches.
(1) 
A false alarm dispatch that is canceled by the alarm business or the alarm user prior to the time the responding officer reaches the alarm site shall not be considered a false alarm dispatch.
(2) 
Alarms caused by violent conditions of nature (severe weather), power outages, or other extraordinary circumstances not reasonably subject to control by the alarm business operator or alarm user are not considered false alarms and are, therefore, not subject to false alarm fees and will not be counted when determining service charge fees or the number of alarm occurrences for that location during the current calendar year.
Direct burglar or fire alarm connection to the Police Department shall be authorized, provided that the following conditions are met and that all necessary fees and charges are paid:
(A) 
Local alarm tone. If an alarm rings on the premises, it shall not make a sound similar to that of sirens on emergency vehicles or of civil defense warning systems.
(B) 
Alarm user fee paid. The applicant has applied for, met the requisite conditions and paid an alarm user fee as provided for in Section 5-2-3(A) of this Code.
(C) 
Initial connection fee paid. An initial connection fee, as determined by the current agreement, shall be paid at the time of the application to the vendor contracted with by the Village to cover the costs of alarm connection to the Police Department alarm board.
(D) 
Monthly maintenance fee paid. A monthly maintenance fee, as determined by the current agreement, shall be paid to the current vendor contracted with by the Village to cover maintenance on the equipment housed at the Police Department.
No person, firm, or corporation shall use or permit to be used, or engage in the business of providing any telephone device or telephone attachment that automatically selects a public trunk line of the Police or Fire Department of the Village and then reproduces any prerecorded message to report any robbery, burglary, fire or other emergency. Automatic telephone alarms not so removed shall be subject to abatement as a nuisance and is in direct violation of this article.
All local alarms that emit a sound that is audible beyond the lot lines of the property on which the alarm is located shall be equipped with an automatic shutoff which will deactivate within five minutes of the alarm. It shall be unlawful to cause or permit any alarm system to be audible from any location in the Village, other than the property on which the alarm is located, in excess of five minutes. Local alarms shall not make a sound similar to that of sirens on emergency vehicles or of civil defense warning systems.
All owners of any of the alarm systems described above will be responsible for making arrangements with neighbors or other responsible parties to ensure that the alarm system can be accessed for maintenance and turned off in case of malfunction or false alarms which would result in prolonged operation, thereby creating a disturbance for neighboring property owners.
(A) 
Authority to revoke or suspend. The Police Chief shall have the authority to revoke or suspend a burglar alarm user permit, and the Fire Chief shall have the authority to revoke or suspend a fire alarm user permit, under the following circumstances:
(1) 
More than 10 false alarms in a calendar year;
(2) 
Failure to pay false alarm fees or alarm user fees as required by this article;
(3) 
Failure of an alarm system user to properly maintain an alarm system or cause same to be properly maintained;
(4) 
Failure of an alarm system user to make arrangements to turn off, reset or inspect an activated alarm within 30 minutes of notification;
(5) 
Failure to comply with any provisions of this article.
(B) 
Notice. Notice of revocation or suspension of permit shall be given in writing, setting forth the grounds of the violation. Such notice shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by hand delivery.
(C) 
Request for a hearing. Upon receipt of the notice, the alarm user may, within 10 days of such receipt, submit a written request for a hearing before the Chief of Police or the Fire Chief (for a fire alarm user permit) setting forth the reasons the alarm user permit should not be suspended or revoked. The submission of such request shall suspend the notice of suspension or revocation of the alarm user permit until the disposition following the hearing.
(D) 
Failure to request hearing. If the alarm user fails to submit a request for hearing within the stated time period, the Police Chief shall issue a written statement of revocation, which shall include an explanation of consequences. The written statement shall be delivered to the alarm user, be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, or hand delivery. Suspension or revocation shall be effective immediately upon receipt by the alarm user of said written statement.
(E) 
Service. If a request for a hearing is submitted within the stated time period, written notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be served on the alarm user by the Administrative Hearing Officer, be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, or hand delivery at least 10 days prior to the date set for the hearing.
(F) 
Hearing. At said hearing, the alarm user, or authorized representative, shall have the right to confront and examine witnesses and to present evidence on its behalf.
(G) 
Disposition. After the hearing, the Administrative Hearing Officer may suspend, revoke or rescind the notice of suspension or revocation. In the event that the Administrative Hearing Officer determines that the permit shall be suspended or revoked, he or she shall notify the alarm user, in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, or hand delivery, explaining the consequences of suspension or revocation as the case may be. Suspension or revocation shall be effective immediately upon receipt by the alarm user of said written notice.
(A) 
Effect of suspension or revocation. Nothing in this article shall preclude an alarm system for which the alarm user permit has been suspended or revoked from continuing to operate notwithstanding the suspension or revocation. However, the Police and Fire Departments shall have no obligation to respond to an alarm occurrence for which the alarm user permit has been suspended or revoked.
(B) 
Reinstatement after suspension. A permittee whose permit has been suspended shall not be allowed to resume service until the Administrative Hearing Officer has made a written determination that the permittee is in compliance with all applicable Village regulations.
(C) 
Reinstatement after revocation. Alarm user permits that have been revoked may be reinstated upon submission to the Village by the alarm user of a new alarm user permit application and payment of: (1) a reinstatement fee in the amount set forth in the Annual Fee Resolution;[1] and (2) all past due service charges. However, no revoked alarm user permit may be reinstated within the period established by the Administrative Hearing Officer at time of revocation, unless otherwise approved by the Hearing Officer. Upon reinstatement, the alarm user shall be in the same position, for purposes of calculating alarm occurrences and service charges, as an alarm user that has received an alarm user permit for the first time.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. A25, Fees.
The Village assumes no liability for any defects in the operation of any alarm system, for any actions or failure to act of any alarm business, alarm contractor, alarm user, or other person in connection with the transmission or receipt of alarm signals, or any action or failure to act upon receipt of an alarm from any source. It is not the intention of the Village to create or assume any special duty or any other duty other than that owed to the general public by virtue of this article or any actions taken or failure to act thereunder.
In addition to any fees, fines or other penalties established in this article, any person, firm or corporation convicted of a violation of any of the provisions of this article shall be fined for each offense in an amount set forth in the Annual Fee Resolution.[1] Each day such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. A25, Fees.
(A) 
The property or business owner that is being protected by the alarm system shall pay the Village a fee in the amount set forth in the Annual Fee Resolution to connect his or her burglar and/or fire alarm system to the Village dispatch center and shall pay the Village a monitoring fee in the amount set forth in the Annual Fee Resolution per month. The property or business owner that is protected by the alarm system is responsible for any costs for equipment to connect his or her alarm system to the Village dispatch center.
(B) 
All radio equipment installed by the Fire Department to the Fire Department dispatch center in conjunction with any intergovernmental agreement entered into by the Village for fire alarm monitoring will be and remain the property of the Village, and the Village shall be responsible for maintaining, repairing or replacing this equipment as necessary due to deterioration, breakdown, or malfunction that results from normal use of the equipment. The property or business owner that connects to the Fire Department dispatch center using radio alarm equipment shall be responsible for any maintenance, repair or replacement of the equipment that is necessary due to use of the equipment that, in the sole discretion of the Fire Chief, is caused by use that is above and beyond the normal use of the equipment. If the radio alarm equipment needs to be replaced due to use that is above and beyond the normal use of the equipment, the property or business owner that is responsible for such use shall pay the Village a radio replacement fee in an amount set forth in the Annual Fee Resolution.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. A25, Fees.