[Ord. No. 444 §1, 7-18-2000]
As used in this Chapter the following terms shall have these
prescribed meanings:
ALARM BUSINESS
The business of selling, leasing, maintaining, servicing,
repairing, altering, replacing, moving or installing any alarm system
in or upon any premises.
ALARM SYSTEM
Any mechanical or electric device designed to activate manually
or automatically upon the detection of any 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.
ALARM USER
A person, firm or corporation who uses an alarm system to
protect any building, structure, facility or premises.
AUTOMATIC DIALING DEVICE
Any alarm system which automatically dials a specific telephone
number and transmits an emergency message by a recording over regular
telephone lines when actuated.
CHIEF OF POLICE
The Chief of Police of the Police Department under contract
with the City of Greendale for Police service, and includes his/her
duly authorized agents.
DEPARTMENT
The Police Department under contract with the City of Greendale
for Police services.
DIRECTOR
The Director of Licenses of St. Louis County, Missouri, and
includes his duly authorized agent.
DIRECT SIGNAL ALARM SYSTEM
An alarm system which provides for a special telephone line
that is directly connected to the department and has an outlet at
the department which emits a sound or transmits a signal or both when
actuated.
FALSE ALARM
Any activation of an alarm system intentionally or by inadvertence,
negligence or unintentional act to which the Department responds,
including activation caused by the malfunction of the alarm system,
except that the following shall not be considered false alarms:
1.
When the Chief of Police determines that an alarm has been caused
by the malfunction of any indicator.
2.
When the Chief of Police determines that an alarm has been caused
by damage, testing or repair of telephone equipment or lines by the
telephone company provided that such incidents are promptly reported
to the telephone company.
3.
When an alarm is caused by an attempted and unauthorized or
illegal entry, of which there is visible evidence.
4.
When an alarm is intentionally caused by the resident acting
under a reasonable belief that a need exists to call the Police.
5.
When an alarm is followed by a call to the department canceling
the alarm by giving proper information, prior to the arrival of the
department at the source of the alarm.
LICENSEE
A person who has obtained an alarm business license under
the provisions of this Chapter.
[Ord. No. 444 §2, 7-18-2000]
No person shall engage in the "alarm business" in the City of Greendale unless such person, firm or corporation
has at all times in full force and effect and in good standing a license
issued pursuant to the provisions of St. Louis County Ordinances and
at all times is in compliance with the terms and provisions of such
ordinances.
[Ord. No. 444 §3, 7-18-2000]
No person, firms or corporation shall have, use or maintain
on his premises within the City of Greendale, any "alarm system" which does not comply with the provisions of St. Louis County Ordinance
No. 8774.
[Ord. No. 444 §4, 7-18-2000]
A. All false
alarms to which the Police Department under contract with the City
of Greendale or County Police Department respond shall result in the
following service charge to the alarm user:
1. A warning
for the first (1st) false alarm in any calendar year.
2. A twenty-five
dollar ($25.00) service charge for the second (2nd) false alarm in
any calendar year.
3. A thirty-five
dollar ($35.00) service charge for the third (3rd) false alarm in
any calendar year.
4. A forty-five
dollar ($45.00) service charge for the fourth (4th) or any subsequent
false alarm in any calendar year.
B. Upon
determination by the Chief of Police that a false alarm has occurred,
the department shall send a notice to the alarm user notifying the
alarm user of the determination and directing payment within thirty
(30) days of any service charge that may be due.
C. The 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 720.030(3), RSMo., as revised and the St. Louis
County Ordinances.
D. Willful
refusal to pay any such service charge within thirty (30) days of
notice shall constitute a violation of this Chapter, but in any prosecution
for violation of this provision, the City shall prove, in addition
to the willful refusal to pay, that the service charge was properly
imposed.