[CC 1997 §38.1; Ord. No. 1308-78, 12-20-1978; Ord. No.
3721-06 §§1—2, 1-18-2006]
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this Chapter is to provide minimum
standards and regulations applicable to emergency alarm systems and
alarm users as defined in this Chapter. False alarms require manpower
and equipment out of service and create situations in the City which
endanger life and property.
B.
ALARM USER
AUTOMATIC DIALING DEVICE
EMERGENCY ALARM
FALSE ALARM
LOCAL ALARMS
MALFUNCTION ALARM
Definitions. For the purpose of this Chapter, the following
terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meaning
given herein. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in
the present tense include the future, words used in the plural number
include the singular number, and words in the singular number include
the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory
and not merely directory.
Any resident or commercial or industrial establishment protected
by emergency alarm; i.e., local voice, etc., equipment.
An alarm which automatically sends over regular telephone
lines a prerecorded voice message or coded signal indicating the existence
of the emergency situation that the alarm system is designed to detect.
Any device which, when actuated by a criminal act, fire,
unauthorized intrusion, or other emergency, activates a local noisemaking
device, or transmits a prerecorded message, or other signal, by telephone,
radio or other means, to a central station, modified central station,
answering service or directly to the communications center of the
Hazelwood Police Department.
Any emergency alarm which is intentionally activated for
any purpose other than to summon the Police Department, Fire Department
or Emergency Medical Service in the belief that a need exists for
an immediate emergency response.
A signaling system which, when activated, causes an audible
and/or visual signaling device to be activated in or on the premises
within which the system is installed.
Any emergency alarm which is inadvertently or negligently
activated.
[CC 1997 §38.2; Ord. No. 1308-78, 12-20-1978; Ord. No.
3721-06 §3, 1-18-2006; Ord. No. 4948-23, 3-1-2023]
A.
All
false alarms to which the Hazelwood Fire and/or Police Departments
respond shall result in the following service charges to the alarm
user:
|
First (1st) false alarm
|
No charge
|
|
Second (2nd) false alarm
|
No charge
|
|
Third (3rd) false alarm
|
No charge
|
|
Fourth (4th) false alarm
|
$50.00 charge
|
|
Fifth (5th) false alarm
|
$100.00 charge
|
|
Sixth (6th) and above false alarm
|
$200.00 charge
|
|
Deliberate or intentional misuse or unwarranted intentional
activation
|
$500.00 charge
|
|
Willful refusal to pay the fees, or service charges specified
above, shall be considered a violation of this Section and shall subject
the alarm user to an order for removal of the alarm system and prosecution
in the Municipal Court.
| |
B.
The
following shall not be considered false alarms, if shown by the user
that:
1.
Alarms were caused by the malfunction of the indicator in the Police
Station;
2.
Alarms were caused by the testing or repair of telephone equipment
or lines;
3.
Alarms were caused by an act of nature, such as earthquakes, floods,
windstorms, thunder or lightning;
4.
Alarms were caused by an attempted illegal entry, of which there
is visual evidence;
5.
Alarms were intentionally caused by the alarm user acting under a
sincere belief that need existed to call the Fire or Police Department.
[Ord. No. 3721-06 §4, 1-18-2006; Ord.
No. 4948-23, 3-1-2023]
All malfunction alarms to which the Hazelwood Fire Department
or Police Department respond shall result in the following service
charges to the alarm user:
|
First (1st) malfunction in a twelve-month period
|
No charge
|
|
Second (2nd) malfunction in a twelve-month period
|
No charge
|
|
Third (3rd) malfunction in a twelve-month period
|
No charge
|
|
Fourth (4th) malfunction twelve-month period
|
$50.00 charge
|
|
Fifth (5th) malfunction in a twelve-month period
|
$100.00 charge
|
|
Sixth (6th) malfunction in a twelve-month period
|
$200.00 charge
|
|
Any two (2) malfunctions in a seven (7) day period
|
$200.00 charge
|
|
Three (3) or more malfunctions within fourteen (14) days
|
$500.00 charge
|
[CC 1997 §38.3; Ord. No. 1308-78, 12-20-1978; Ord. No.
3721-06 §§5—6, 1-18-2006]
A.
Local Alarms. All emergency alarm systems equipped with
an exterior sound-producing device, including but not limited to gongs,
buzzers, sirens, bells or horns, shall, within ninety (90) days of
the effective date of this Chapter, be equipped with a timing device
which limits the operation of said alarm to thirty (30) minutes.
B.
Automatic Dialing Devices. All automatic dialing devices
shall be installed on a separate telephone line to the Police Department.
No such device shall be keyed to a primary trunk line of the City
of Hazelwood's emergency number.
[CC 1997 §38.4; Ord. No. 1308-78, 12-20-1978; Ord. No.
3721-06 §7, 1-18-2006]
The City shall not be liable for any defects in operation of
automatic dialing devices or signal line systems, for any failure
or neglect to respond appropriately upon receipt of an alarm from
any such source, nor for the failure or neglect of any person. In
the event the City finds it necessary to disconnect an emergency alarm
system, the City shall incur no liability by such action.
[CC 1997 §38.5; Ord. No. 1308-78, 12-20-1978; Ord. No.
3721-06 §8, 1-18-2006]
Anyone violating the provisions of this Chapter shall be guilty
of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to
a fine of not less than one dollar ($1.00), nor more than one hundred
dollars ($100.00). Each day that such violation continues shall constitute
a separate offense.
