The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter,
shall have the meanings described to them in this section, except
where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
ALARM SYSTEM
An assembly of equipment and devices or a single device such
as a solid-state unit which plugs directly into a one-hundred-ten
volt, sixty-cycle arranged to signal the presence of a hazard requiring
urgent attention and to which police or fire persons are expected
to respond. The City municipal fire alarm system is specifically excluded
from the provisions of this chapter (A.C. line).
ALARM USER or USER
Any person on whose premises an alarm system is maintained
within the City, except for alarm systems on motor vehicles or proprietary
systems. Excluded from this definition and from the coverage of this
chapter are central station personnel and persons who use alarm systems
to alert or signal persons within the premises in which the alarm
system is located of an attempted unauthorized intrusion or holdup
attempt. If such a system, however, employs an audible signal emitting
sounds or a flashing light or beacon designed to signal persons outside
the premises, such system shall be within the definition of "alarm
system," as that term is used in this section, and shall be subject
to this chapter.
AUTOMATIC DIALING DEVICE
An alarm system which automatically sends over regular telephone
lines, by direct connection or otherwise, a prerecorded voice message
or coded signal indicating the existence of the emergency situation
that the alarm system is designed to detect.
CENTRAL STATION
An office to which remote alarm and supervisory signaling
devices are connected where operators supervise circuits or where
guards are maintained continuously to investigate signals.
COMMUNICATIONS CONSOLE
The instrumentation on an alarm console at the receiving
terminal of a signal line which, through both visual and audible signals,
indicates activation of an alarm system at a particular location,
or which indicates line trouble.
DIRECT CONNECT
An alarm system which has the capability of transmitting
system signals to and receiving them at the Police Department communication
center and Fire Department communication center.
FALSE ALARM
A.
The activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure,
malfunction, improper installation, or negligence of the user of an
alarm system or of his employees or agents.
B.
Any signal or oral communication transmitted to the Police or
Fire Department requesting, or requiring, or resulting in a response
on the part of the Police or Fire Department when in fact there has
been no unauthorized intrusion or attempted unauthorized intrusion
into a premises and no attempted robbery or burglary or fire at a
premises.
C.
Excluded from this definition are activations of alarm systems
caused by power outages, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and similar
conditions.
FIRE CHIEF
The Chief of the Fire Department of the City or his designated
representative.
INTERCONNECT
To connect an alarm system to a voice-grade telephone line,
either directly or through a mechanical device that utilizes a standard
telephone, for the purpose of using the telephone line to transmit
an emergency message upon the activation of the alarm system.
POLICE CHIEF
The Chief of Police of the City or his designated representative.
PUBLIC NUISANCE
Anything which annoys, injures or endangers the comfort,
repose, health or safety of any considerable number of persons or
of any community or neighborhood.
[Amended 6-20-1994 by Ord. No. 35]
A. The following
acts and omissions shall constitute violations of this chapter punishable
by fines of up to $50:
(1) Failure to obey an order of the Police Chief or Fire Chief to discontinue
use of an alarm system, after exhaustion of the right of appeal.
(2) Failure to disconnect an automatic dialing device from any telephone
numbers at the Police Department or Fire Department within six months
after the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter
was derived.
(3) Interconnection of an automatic dialing device to any telephone numbers
at the Police Department or Fire Department after the effective date
of the ordinance from which this chapter was derived.
(4) Failure to pay two or more consecutive fines assessed under this
chapter within 60 days from the date of the assessment.
(5) Failure to comply with the requirements of §
109-7.
B. Separate offenses. Each day during which the aforesaid violations
continue shall constitute a separate offense.
The Police Chief or Fire Chief may promulgate such rules as
may be necessary for the implementation of this chapter in their respective
departments.
Any person using an automatic dialing device may have the device
interconnected to a telephone line transmitting directly to:
C. Any privately owned or privately operated facility or terminal.
No alarm system designed to transmit emergency messages directly
to the Police or Fire Department shall be worked on, tested or demonstrated
without obtaining permission from the Police Chief or Fire Chief.
Permission is not required to test or demonstrate alarm devices not
transmitting emergency messages directly to the Police Department
or Fire Department. An unauthorized test constitutes a false alarm.
The provisions of this chapter do not regulate fire alarms regulated by Chapter
159, Fire Prevention, Article
III, §§
159-16 through
159-22, of the City Code.