This article is adopted under the authority of the Constitution and laws of the state, particularly including section 54.004, Local Government Code, and section 3.15 of the city charter.
(Ordinance 2010-06-21-01 adopted 6/21/10)
The purpose of this article is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by regulating the use of alarm systems within the city.
(Ordinance 2010-06-21-01 adopted 6/21/10)
Alarm notification.
A notification intended to summon emergency service personnel of the city, which is designed either to be initiated purposely by a person or by an alarm system that responds to a stimulus characteristic of fire or unauthorized intrusion.
Alarm site.
A single premises or location (one street address) served by an alarm system that is under the control of one owner or tenant.
Alarm system.
A device or system that emits, transmits or relays a signal intended to summon emergency services, including, but not limited to, local alarms. An alarm system does not include:
(1) 
An alarm installed on a motor vehicle unless installed at a permanent site.
(2) 
An alarm system designed to alert only the inhabitants within the premises.
(3) 
An alarm system that has been disabled and does not have the ability to send an alarm notification to emergency service personnel.
(4) 
An alarm system designed to remotely alert the owner or operator of a facility owned and/or operated by a public utility.
False alarm notification.
An alarm notification to the police department in response to which an officer responds within 30 minutes of the alarm notification and determines from an inspection of the premises that there was no evidence of actual or attempted intrusion or threat to life, as the case may be.
Local alarm.
An alarm system which emits a signal at an alarm site that is audible or visible from the exterior of a structure and has as its purpose the summoning of aid from a city department.
(Ordinance 2010-06-21-01 adopted 6/21/10)
It shall be unlawful to operate or permit the continued operation of an alarm system which issues more than three (3) false alarm notifications within a consecutive twelve-month period.
(Ordinance 2010-06-21-01 adopted 6/21/10)
After two (2) attempts for contact the alarm system user and/or property owner, the police chief or his designee may take all necessary measures to disable any malfunctioning alarm system within the city. The city shall not be liable for any damages to property if such alarm is disabled.
(Ordinance 2010-06-21-01 adopted 6/21/10)
(a) 
An alarm system user and/or property owner shall only allow alarm signals to be reported through a relaying intermediary that complies with any and all rules and regulations established by the city police department, and which is licensed by the state board of private investigators and private security agencies.
(b) 
A person or business who is engaged in the business of relaying alarm notifications to the city shall:
(1) 
Make notification by a human operator. The reporting of alarms by means of a recorded message is prohibited.
(2) 
Communicate alarm notifications to the city in a manner and form designated by the police chief.
(c) 
No person shall operate or cause to be operated any automatic dialing device which, when activated, uses a telephone device or attachment to automatically connect to the city police department telephone line and then transmit any prerecorded message or signal.
(Ordinance 2010-06-21-01 adopted 6/21/10)
Emergency personnel responding to a dispatch resulting from an alarm system notification shall record such information as necessary to permit the city to maintain appropriate records. Alarm dispatch records shall be maintained by the city police department.
(Ordinance 2010-06-21-01 adopted 6/21/10)
Any person violating the provisions of this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each offense.
(Ordinance 2010-06-21-01 adopted 6/21/10)