[Added 9-30-2013, Ordinance
2013-04]
The purpose of this Article is to enhance and protect the emergency
services of the City of Weatherford.
[Added 9-30-2013, Ordinance
2013-04]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this Article,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Shall mean the department head, or his designee, of the department
designated by the Mayor to perform the administrative functions of
this chapter.
Shall mean the business by any individual, partnership, corporation,
or other entity of selling, leasing, maintaining, servicing, repairing,
altering, replacing, moving, installing or monitoring any alarm system
or causing to be sold, or monitored any alarm system in or on any
building, structure, or facility, but not excluding any person who
installs his own alarm on his own property to protect his own personal
property.
Shall mean one or more devices designed to detect and signal
unauthorized intrusion, entry, robbery, fire, or other emergency condition,
which signals are responded to by public law enforcement officers,
Fire Department personnel, private security guards or security officers,
and includes:
Interconnecting systems which are connected, either directly
or through a mechanical device, to a telephone for the purpose of
using the telephone lines to transmit a message upon activation of
the alarm system;
Automatic dialing devices; and
Audible systems not interconnected to telephone lines which
when activated sound a bell, siren, or other device that make an audible
or visual signal at the location protected by the alarm system;
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Provided that:
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1.
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Alarm systems installed within vehicles shall be excluded.
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2.
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Battery operated alarm systems shall be excluded.
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Shall mean any person, corporation, company, or organization
in control of any building, structure, or facility located within
the City of Weatherford wherein an alarm system is maintained.
Shall mean a device which is interconnected to a telephone
line and is programmed to select a predetermined telephone number
and transmit by voice message or code signal an emergency message
indicating a need for police, fire or medical response. This device
shall be listed by Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., or approved by
the Factory Mutual Engineer's Association.
Shall mean the activation of a burglary, robbery, fire or
other alarm for the purpose of summoning emergency assistance or which
causes the Police or Fire Department to be summoned, at a time when
no emergency exists, and includes those caused by:
Error, mistake or any action by any person owning or operating
any dwelling, building, or place which results in the activation of
any alarm system when no emergency exists;
Malfunction or any activation of any alarm system caused by
a flaw in the normal operation, design, installation, maintenance
or the system, faulty equipment, change in environment, atmospheric
conditions, or premises upon or with which the alarm system is operating;
and
Intentional misuse or any intentional activation of an alarm
system when no emergency is in progress, but excluding testing during
installation or an emergency is in progress, but excluding testing
during installation or regular maintenance when the alarm user notifies
the police service in advance and receives permission for the test;
provided that an alarm will not be considered a false alarm if it
is determined by the police or fire service that the alarm was the
result of vandalism, attempted entry, or severe weather, which causes
visible, physical, or other evidence of damage to the premises.
Shall mean an alarm system which is connected to the police
station communications area or the Fire Department by telephone or
other means which summons emergency assistance.
[Added 9-30-2013, Ordinance
2013-04]
1.Â
No alarm system shall be installed, maintained or operated until
the alarm user shall have first obtained a permit from the alarm administrator
for each alarm system on the premises. It shall be unlawful to install,
maintain or permeate an alarm system without obtaining a permit.
2.Â
The application for permit shall include information as to the number
of and type of alarms installed, alarm business providing the service,
monitoring agent, and numbers to be called in the event an emergency
should occur. An approved application and permit shall bear the signature
of the alarm administrator. The administrator shall assess an initial
permit fee of $50 for such permit which shall be valid for one year
from the date of issuance and an annual renewal permit fee of $10
thereafter, in addition to any other fees required in this section.
3.Â
An initial permit fee of $50 is hereby levied on each in-station
alarm system with the City. Such fee shall be paid by the alarm user.
No free permits shall be granted, nor rebates allowed, for any cause,
nor any sum accepted less than the amount specified herein. No fee
shall be levied on governmental agencies maintaining an in-station
alarm, provided that this exception shall not exempt such agencies
from the requirement to obtain a permit.
[Added 9-30-2013, Ordinance
2013-04]
1.Â
No person shall engage in the alarm industry business, as defined
in Title 59 of the Oklahoma Statutes section 1800.1 et seq., unless
licensed pursuant to the Oklahoma Alarm Industry Act.
2.Â
Every alarm business selling, leasing, or furnishing any alarm system
within the City of Weatherford shall furnish the alarm user with instructions
that provide adequate information to enable the alarm user to operate
the alarm system properly and to obtain service for the alarm system.
3.Â
Every alarm business doing business with alarm users shall be required
to register with the alarm administrator each calendar year. Registration
shall include copies of the state license of the company or individual
providing services to the alarm user and such other information as
the alarm administrator deems appropriate. This alarm business shall
be UL approved.
[Added 9-30-2013, Ordinance
2013-04]
It is unlawful for any person to program an automatic dialing
device to any telephone line which, when activated, dials the digits
9-1-1. It is unlawful for an alarm user to fail to disconnect or reprogram
an automatic dialing device which is programmed to dial the digits
9-1-1.
[Added 9-30-2013, Ordinance
2013-04]
1.Â
When records of the Police or Fire Department indicate two false
alarms within a calendar month, the alarm administrator shall notify
the alarm user by regular mail or hand delivery of the notice of the
number of false alarms on record. The alarm user will also be notified
that for the remainder of the calendar month responses to false alarms
as defined will result in the alarm user being assessed a fee of $50
per response for the third and fourth false alarm and a fee of $100
for the fifth and any subsequent false alarm. If the assessment billed
the alarm user is not paid within 30 days of the statement date, that
alarm administrator may revoke the alarm user's permit.
The fees set forth herein shall not be charged if the false
alarm occurs as a result of inclement weather or disruption in communications
devices.
2.Â
If the alarm user's permit has been revoked, the alarm user will
be required to make application for a new permit, pay any false alarm
assessments owing, and pay the appropriate fees. It shall be a violation
of this Article to operate an alarm system when the permit for that
system has been revoked by the alarm administrator.
3.Â
If the alarm user's permit is revoked, the alarm user may appeal
the revocation to the Mayor or his designee, provided the appeal is
made in writing to the Mayor or his designee with 10 calendar days
from the date of revocation.
4.Â
Any person or company working on an alarm system shall report an
accidental or false alarm to the Police Department. Any person or
company who fails to report an accidental or false alarm under this
subsection shall be assessed a fee of $100.
[Added 9-30-2013, Ordinance
2013-04]
Any person violating any provision of this Article shall be deemed guilty of an offense, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished as provided in § 9-31 of the Weatherford City Code.
