As used in this chapter, the words hereinafter defined are used
as so defined unless it is apparent from the context that a different
meaning is intended.
shall mean the person who owns, leases, rents, uses or makes
available for use by his/her agents, employees, representatives or
family, any alarm system.
shall mean any device, whether known as a fire, burglary,
robbery or intrusion alarm, direct-dial telephone device, audible
or silent alarm, or by any other name, which is used for the detection
of an unauthorized entry into a building, structure or facility, or
to signal the commission of an unlawful act, or for the detection
of or to signal a fire. It shall include those devices which emit
a signal within the protected premises only, are supervised by the
proprietor of the premises where located, and are otherwise known
as "proprietary alarm systems." Devices which are not designed or
used to evoke a response from the Sheriff's Department or Fire Department,
or not used to register alarms that are intended to be audible, visible
or perceptible outside of the protected building, structure, or facility
are not included within this definition, nor are auxiliary devices
installed by a telephone company to protect telephone company systems
which might be damaged or disrupted by the use of an alarm system.
shall mean a device designed to notify persons in the immediate
vicinity of a protected premises, by emission of an audible sound,
of an unauthorized entry on the premises or of the commission of an
unlawful act, or a fire.
shall mean a device which is connected to a telephone line
and upon activation of an alarm system, automatically dials a predetermined
telephone number and transmits a message or signal indicating a need
for emergency response.
shall mean an alarm signal activated by causes other than
the commission or attempted commission of an unlawful act or a fire
that the alarm system is designed to detect, and resulting in a response
to the location of the alarm by the Sheriff's Department or Fire Department.
Upon failure of the Sheriff's Department or Fire Department to find
any evidence of intrusion, fire, or other need or cause for activating
an alarm system, a presumption of false alarm will be made. An alarm
signal activated by violent conditions of nature or other extraordinary
circumstances not subject to the control of the alarm owner shall
not constitute a false alarm.
(Prior code § 5-3.1)
For every audible alarm, the alarm owner thereof shall either
1) post the current names and telephone numbers of persons to be notified
to render repairs or service during any hour of the day or night during
which the audible alarm is operated in a conspicuous place immediately
adjacent to the main entrance to the premises where the alarm is located,
or 2) provide the current names and telephone numbers of persons to
be notified to render repairs or service during any hour of the day
or night during which the audible alarm is operated to the Director
of Public Safety and post a notice stating "Alarm Contact Information
Provided to Sheriff's Department" in a conspicuous place immediately
adjacent to the main entrance to the premises where the alarm is located.
An audible alarm shall terminate its operation or the audible alarm
shall automatically reset within 30 minutes of its being activated.
(Prior code § 5-3.2)
No person shall use any alarm system that is equipped with a
direct-dial device, and which when activated, automatically dials
any telephone number in any office of the Sheriff or Fire Department.
(Prior code § 5-3.3)
A person shall not knowingly turn in a false alarm. This section
does not prohibit a test of an alarm system as permitted in advance
by the Sheriff or Fire Department.
(Prior code § 5-3.4)
After any false alarm, the alarm owner shall, upon request by
the Director of Public Safety, submit a written report to the Director
of Public Safety describing actions taken or to be taken to eliminate
the cause of the false alarms. This report shall be submitted within
10 days of the date of request by the Director of Public Safety.
(Prior code § 5-3.5)
An alarm owner shall not operate an alarm system that generates
more than three false alarms in any consecutive 12 month period.
A.
For
purposes of this section, the "any consecutive 12 month period" shall
mean any consecutive 12 month period commencing after the effective
date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
B.
After
the third false alarm in any consecutive 12 month period, the Director
of Public Safety shall serve a written notice on the alarm owner specifying
the day and time of each false alarm and the penalties provided in
this Code in the event of a fourth or subsequent violation.
(Prior code § 5-3.6)
The provisions of Sections 5.24.020 through 5.24.060 are not applicable to audible alarms affixed to motor vehicles or to a public telephone utility whose only duty is to furnish telephone service pursuant to tariffs on file with California Public Utilities Commission.
(Prior code § 5-3.7)
Except as set forth in this chapter, violations of this chapter are punishable pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 1.08 of this Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a fee for violations of Section 5.24.060 shall be established by resolution of the City Council as to the fourth through seventh false alarms within any consecutive 12 month period, and the fee for any additional false alarm after seven false alarms within such consecutive 12 month period shall be punishable pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 1.08 of this Code.
(Prior code § 5-3.8)
