Editor's note — Ord. no. 02-09, adopted April 23, 2002, repealed chapter 235 in its entirety enacting the new provisions set out herein. Former chapter 235 derived from CC 1987 §§250.010 — 250.060 and ord. no. 80-19 §§1 — 6, 11-25-80.
[Ord. No. 02-09 §1, 4-23-2002]
This Chapter may be designated and/or cited as the Alarm Systems Code of the City of Northwoods.
[Ord. No. 02-09 §2, 4-23-2002]
As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall have these prescribed meanings:
ALARM SYSTEMS
Any mechanical or electrical device which is designed to be activated manually or automatically upon the detection of an 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 who uses an alarm system to protect any building, structure, facility or premises.
AUDIBLE ALARM
An alarm system equipped with an exterior sound-producing device such as a gong, buzzer, siren, bell or horn.
AUTOMATING DIALING DEVICE
An alarm system which automatically dials a specific telephone number and transmits an emergency message by a recording over regular telephone lines when activated.
CHIEF OF POLICE
The Chief of the Northwoods Police Department and includes his duly authorized agents.
DEPARTMENT
The Northwoods Police Department.
DIRECT SIGNAL ALARM SYSTEM
An alarm system which provides for a special telephone line that is directly connected to a Police Department and has an outlet at the Department which emits a sound or transmits a signal, or both, when activated.
FALSE ALARM
Any activation of an alarm system intentionally or by inadvertence, negligence or unintentional act to which the Police Department personnel responds including activation caused by the malfunction of the alarm system, except that the following circumstances shall not be considered false alarms, to wit:
1. 
When the Chief of Police determines that an alarm has been caused by damage, testing or repair of telephone equipment or lines by a telephone company, provided that such incidents are promptly reported by the company which caused them.
2. 
When an alarm is caused by an attempted and unauthorized or illegal entry of which there is visible evidence.
3. 
When an alarm is intentionally caused by a person at the premises acting under a reasonable belief that a need for calling emergency or Police personnel.
4. 
When an alarm is followed by notice to the Police Department canceling the alarm by giving proper information prior to the arrival of the Police Department or emergency personnel at the source of the alarm.
5. 
When the alarm is caused by an act of God such as earthquake, flood, windstorm, thunder or lightning.
6. 
When the Chief of Police determines that an alarm has been caused by the malfunction of the indicator at the Police Department.
7. 
When the Chief of Police determines that an alarm has been caused by a malfunction of electrical power beyond the control of the alarm user.
[Ord. No. 02-09 §3, 4-23-2002; Ord. No. 11-3 §1, 4-26-2011]
A. 
All false alarms for residential property to which the Police Department responds shall result in the following charges to the alarm user:
1. 
For the first (1st) false alarm in a calendar year, there shall be no charge, but a warning shall be issued.
2. 
A twenty-five dollar ($25.00) service charge for the second (2nd) false alarm at a premises in any calendar year.
3. 
A twenty-five dollar ($25.00) service charge for each additional false alarm at the premises during the calendar year.
B. 
All false alarms for commercial businesses to which the Northwoods Police Department responds shall result in the following charges to the alarm user:
1. 
For the first (1st) false alarm in a calendar year, there shall be no charge, but a warning shall be issued.
2. 
A fifty dollar ($50.00) service charge for any false alarm after the first (1st) false alarm in any calendar year.
[Ord. No. 21-10, 12-28-2021]
C. 
Upon determination by the Police Department that a false alarm has occurred, the Police 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.
D. 
The Police 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 235.010 hereof.
E. 
Refusal to pay any such service charge within thirty (30) days of such notice shall constitute a violation of this Section.
F. 
A summons shall be issued to the homeowner or alarm user for said violation with a court date for appearance, at which time the Municipal Judge shall determine the penalty for refusal to pay said fee and the homeowner or alarm user shall be liable for all service fees, fines and court costs.
[Ord. No. 02-09 §4, 4-23-2002]
A. 
All direct signal alarm systems which connect to the Police Department are prohibited, except for Federal institutions which are required to have such an alarm system under Federal law.
B. 
Any Federal institution which is permitted to have a direct signal alarm system shall be required to pay for all costs for the installation, maintenance and repair of the alarm system.
[Ord. No. 02-09 §5, 4-23-2002]
A. 
No person shall install or use an audible alarm without a fifteen (15) minute timer.
B. 
On or after January 1, 2002, any alarm used having an audible alarm shall be required to have and be responsible for equipping such an alarm with a fifteen (15) minute timer.
[Ord. No. 02-09 §6, 4-23-2002]
Any person who installs, maintains, sells, leases, services, repairs, alters, replaces, moves or installs any alarm system or causes the same to be sold, leased, maintained, serviced, replaced, altered, repaired, moved or installed in or on any building, structure, facility or premises shall be properly licensed under ordinance of St. Louis County as the same pertains to the licensing and regulation for the installation of and use of alarm systems.
[Ord. No. 02-09 §7, 4-23-2002]
Any alarm user shall register such alarm system with the Police Department of the City of Northwoods within one (1) week after installation. No charge for any false alarms shall be made during the first two (2) weeks after the registration of said alarm.
[Ord. No. 02-09 §8, 4-23-2002]
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this Chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or be punished by imprisonment not to exceed ninety (90) days or be punished by both fine and imprisonment, and each day such violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense.