[Adopted as Ch. 134 of the 2000 Code; amended in its entirety 3-23-2023 by Ord. No. 23-02]
The purpose of this article is to provide minimum standards
and regulations applicable to burglar and holdup alarm systems, alarm
businesses, alarm agents and alarm users as defined in this article.
For the purpose of this article, the following terms, phrases,
words and their derivations shall have the meanings given herein:
ALARM SYSTEM
An assembly of equipment and devices (or a single device
such as a solid-state unit), arranged to signal the presence of a
hazard requiring urgent attention, and to which police or alarm agents
are expected to respond. In this article, the term "alarm system"
includes the terms "automatic holdup alarm system," "burglar alarm
system," "holdup alarm system" and "manual holdup alarm system," as
those terms are hereinafter defined. Alarm systems which monitor temperature,
humidity or any other condition not directly related to the detection
of an unauthorized intrusion into a premises are specifically excluded
from the provisions of this article.
ALARM USER
Any person or business on whose premises an alarm system
is maintained within the City, except for alarm systems on motor vehicles
or proprietary systems. If, however, an alarm system on a motor vehicle
is connected with an alarm system at a premises (other than a proprietary
system), the person or business using such a system is an alarm user.
Also excluded from this definition and from the coverage of this article
are 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
is within the definition of an "alarm system" and shall be subject
to this article.
BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEM
An alarm system signaling an entry or attempted entry into
the area protected by the system.
FALSE ALARM
The activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure,
malfunction, improper installation or the negligence of the owner
or lessee of an alarm system or of their employees or agents. Such
terminology does not include, for example, alarms caused by hurricanes,
tornadoes, earthquakes or other violent conditions.
[Amended 8-17-2023 by Ord. No. 23-21]
MANUAL HOLDUP ALARM SYSTEM
An alarm system in which the signal transmission is initiated
by the direct action of the person attacked, or by an observer of
the attack.
PROPRIETARY SYSTEM
An alarm system sounding and/or recording alarm signals at
a control center located within the protected premises, the control
center being under the supervision of the proprietor of the protected
premises. If a proprietary system includes a signal line connected
directly or by means of an automatic dialing device to a police communication
center, a central station, modified central station or answering service,
it thereby becomes an "alarm system" as defined in this article.
SIGNAL LINE
The transmission line through which the signal passes from
one of the elements of the signal transmission to another.
[Adopted as Ch. 129 of the 2000 Code]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
BURGLAR ALARM
Any mechanical, electrical, visual or radio-controlled device
which is designed to be used for the detection of any unauthorized
entry into a building, structure or facility, or both, which emits
a sound or transmits a signal or message when activated. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, alarm systems shall be deemed to
include audible/visual alarms at the site of installation of the detection
device, proprietor alarms and automatic telephone direct-dial devices
or digital alarm communicator systems.
[Added 3-23-2023 by Ord.
No. 23-02]
CONSUMER PRODUCTS
All food which is subject to sales tax and all food which
is not subject to sales tax under Chapter 423 of the Code of Iowa,
except foods prepared for immediate consumption.
[Amended 3-23-2023 by Ord. No. 23-02]
CONVENIENCE STORE
Any business which sells at retail both gasoline and more
than 20 consumer products and which routinely remains open for business
20 hours to 24 hours a day or anytime between the hours of 10:00 p.m.
and 5:00 a.m.
GUN SHOP
Any person, firm or corporation who, under the laws of the
State of Iowa and/or the United States, is engaged in the business
of supplying those authorized to possess an offensive weapon as defined
in Chapter 724 of the Code of Iowa or the sale of pistols or revolvers,
or shotguns or rifles and is operating out of a retail business location
and not in the owner's residential dwelling.
[Amended 3-23-2023 by Ord. No. 23-02]
Every convenience store and gun shop in the City shall be equipped
with a functioning surveillance camera(s) 24 hours a day or seven
days a week. The surveillance camera(s) shall be positioned so as
to view all persons entering the establishment and all persons approaching
within five feet of the cash register.
[Ord. No. 06-13; amended 3-23-2023 by Ord. No. 23-02]
Every gun shop in the City shall be equipped with a functioning
burglar alarm for those hours of each day when the store is not open
to business. The burglar alarm shall be connected to the premises
as directed by departmental rules. All proposed installations of burglar
alarms shall be approved in advance by the Police Department as in
conformance with the requirements of the departmental rules prior
to actual installation. The Police Chief shall develop departmental
rules and regulations setting forth the minimum specifications for
burglar alarms, for their connection to the premises and such other
matters as the Police Chief deems necessary or desirable to carry
out the objectives of this section. The specifications shall be developed
with the intent to require burglar alarms which are functionally capable
of alerting authorities of unauthorized activities with sufficient
rapidity as to aid the Police Department in the apprehension of lawbreakers.
Burglar alarms installed prior to January 18, 2001, will be deemed
to be in compliance with this article.
A business which is required to install a surveillance camera
or burglar alarm may apply to the Police Chief for exemption from
the provisions of this article. The Police Chief may exempt a business
if the Police Chief finds that the business has or will undertake
alternate security procedures which are substantially equal to or
more effective in preventing criminal activity and in assisting in
the apprehension of the perpetrators of crime or for the protection
of employees, or the Police Chief may authorize alternate procedures
on an experimental basis. The Police Chief may also authorize temporary
extensions of time for installation when a business demonstrates that
it is temporarily unable to comply for good cause shown.