The inefficiency resulting from responses by the Sacramento
County Sheriff's Office to false alarms detracts from its ability
to respond to bona fide emergencies. In order to improve the ability
of the Sheriff to effectively respond to law enforcement needs, and
to encourage alarm system users, lessors, sellers and manufacturers
to better construct and maintain alarm systems in the unincorporated
area of the County, an alarm permit requirement is hereby imposed
on all alarm system users, hereinafter set forth. An enhanced call
verification process is hereby imposed on all alarm companies, as
hereinafter set forth. Nothing in this ordinance shall be construed
to require any Sheriff's Office response to alarm devices. The issuance
of an alarm permit does not entitle the holder to any special level
of Sheriff's Office service to an alarm device. All Sheriff's Office
responses to alarm devices will be made in accordance with the alarm
response policy established by the Sheriff.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988; SCC 1086 § 1,
1997; SCC 1366 § 1, 2007; SCC 1703 § 1, 2022)
means any person, firm, partnership or corporation, or other
association conducting or engaged in the business of selling, leasing,
maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving, installing
or monitoring alarm systems within Sacramento County, including any
school or government agency, department or district.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988; SCC 1366 § 2,
2007)
means an identifiable and detached building with a separate
alarm system, or an individual business premises or residence within
a building, having a separate alarm system.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988)
means a device or system that emits, transmits, or relays,
when tripped, a signal intended to summon, or that could reasonably
be expected to summon, police services of the County. Alarm system
does not include:
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988; SCC 1703 § 2,
2022)
means the activation of an alarm system which precipitates
a response by police services of Sacramento County when police services
are not required. False alarms do not include alarms resulting from
violent acts of nature, such as earthquakes, gale force winds, or
tornadoes.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988; SCC 1086 § 2,
1997)
means an alarm system which automatically sends over regular
telephone lines, by direct connection or otherwise, a prerecorded
voice message indicating the existence of the emergency situation
that the alarm system is designed to detect.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988)
means an office to which alarm systems are connected, where
operators supervise the circuits, and where guards and/or servicemen
are maintained continuously to investigate signals.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988)
means a telephone line leading directly from a central station
to the Communications Center of the Sheriff's Office, where said line
is used only to report emergency signals on a person-to-person basis.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988; SCC 1703 § 3,
2022)
means a process by which alarm companies attempt to verify
the legitimacy of a burglar alarm activation prior to requesting public
safety dispatch. Enhanced call verification requires alarm companies
to make a minimum of two phone calls prior to making a request for
police services by Sacramento County: one to the alarm site and the
second to a different telephone number where a responsible party can
typically be reached, preferably a cell phone number.
(SCC 1366 § 3, 2007)
means to connect an alarm system to a 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.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988)
means an office to which alarm systems are connected where
operators supervise the circuits, but where guards are not maintained
to investigate alarm systems.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988)
means an individual, corporation, partnership, association,
organization, school district, government agency or similar entity.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988)
means any telephone line, including 911 emergency lines,
leading directly into the Communications Center of the Sheriff's Office
for the purpose of handling emergency calls on a person-to-person
basis, and which is identified as such by a specific number included
among the emergency numbers listed in the telephone directory issued
by the telephone company, covering the service area within the Sheriff's
Office's jurisdiction.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988; SCC 1703 § 4,
2022)
means that political subdivision of the State of California by the same name or, as the case may be, all areas within the County as defined in the California Government Code, Title 3, Section 23134, excluding the incorporated cities of Galt, Isleton, Folsom, and Sacramento.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988)
means any audible noise similar to that which must be sounded
by an authorized emergency vehicle under the conditions set forth
in Section 21055 of the California Vehicle Code.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988)
means a telephone line leading into the Communications Center
of the Sheriff's Office and having the primary purpose of handling
emergency messages originating through a central station, modified
central station or answering service.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988; SCC 1703 § 5,
2022)
means confirmation of an unauthorized entry or attempted
unauthorized entry upon the premises, building, or structure protected
by the burglar alarm system. Verification may be made by the alarm
system user or other person at or near the scene of the activation,
a private guard responder or alarm company operator, and shall be
based on a physical observation or inspection of the premises, or
by remote visual inspection of the premises. For purposes of this
definition, remote visual inspection of the premises is a visual inspection
of the premises protected by the burglar alarm system which is accomplished
through the use of a video camera or other similar device to capture
and transmit visual images of the premises to the alarm system user,
alarm company operator, private guard responder, or person or entity
authorized by the alarm system user. The visual images must be sufficiently
discernable to permit the viewer to confirm that an unauthorized entry,
attempted unauthorized entry, or other crime has occurred at the premises
protected by the burglar alarm system. NOTE: An open door, broken
window, or other activity consistent with a burglary is considered
a verified activation.
(SCC 1366 § 4, 2007)
a.
Except
as otherwise provided hereafter, it shall be unlawful for any person
to connect, or operate, or to cause to be connected, or operated,
an alarm system in Sacramento County on an alarm site without obtaining
a valid alarm system permit within 15 days of connecting or commencing
to operate an alarm system and keeping a valid alarm system permit
in full force and effect at all times thereafter.
b.
The application for an alarm system permit shall contain an agreement, which the applicant must sign before the permit can be issued, whereby the applicant/permittee agrees to reimburse the County for costs incurred by the County resulting from excessive numbers of false alarms. The application shall also contain a provision that the exact costs to the County of excessive false alarms are difficult to ascertain and, for that reason, the amounts set forth in Section 9.96.110 of this chapter are agreed upon by the County and the applicant/permittee as liquidated damages.
c.
Persons
owning or in possession of property which an alarm system is intended
to protect shall be responsible for securing the proper alarm system
permit and such permit shall be issued only to the person who owns
or is in possession of the property which the alarm system is intended
to protect.
d.
The
Sheriff shall issue the alarm system permit within a reasonable period
following the date of receipt of application, unless the alarm system
does not comply with the specifications contained in this chapter,
the applicant has failed to pay the required fee, or the application
contains a misrepresentation of fact.
f.
Any person who operates an alarm without a permit shall obtain a permit within 30 days of the Sheriff's mailing of a Notice to Obtain Permit and shall pay the fee provided for in Section 9.96.100, plus a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) surcharge. Failure to obtain a permit within the required time shall result in an additional fee of $250
g.
Payment
of Fee: A service fee invoice shall be mailed to the alarm operator
within 30 days following the assessment of the fee. Fees are due and
owing not later than 30 days after the date of mailing the invoice.
The date of mailing shall appear on the invoice. Fees received after
the due date shall be subject to a late fee of $25. Fees received
more than 60 days after the due date shall be subject to an additional
late fee of $25.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988; SCC 1086 § 3,
1997)
a.
Application
for alarm system permits shall be filed with the Sheriff on such forms
as the Sheriff may prescribe.
b.
An applicant
may apply for a single permit for multiple alarm sites or for separate
permits for each alarm site. If an applicant chooses to apply for
a separate permit for each alarm site, a separate application and
permit fee shall be filed for each permit.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988)
Each alarm system permit application must contain the following
information:
a.
Full
name, date of birth, social security number, driver's license number,
address, and telephone number of the person who will be the permit
holder and of the person responsible for the proper maintenance and
operation of the alarm system and payment of fees assessed under this
chapter.
b.
Classification
of the alarm site as either residential or commercial;
c.
For
each alarm system located at the alarm site, the purpose of the alarm
system; i.e., burglary, robbery, or panic.
d.
Other
information as may be reasonably required by the Sheriff.
e.
The
information furnished and secured pursuant to this ordinance shall,
to the extent permitted by law, be confidential and shall not be subject
to public inspection. It is hereby declared that this information
is critical to the safety and security of the alarm user and law enforcement
personnel and that the public interest by not disclosing said information
to the public clearly out weighs the public interest served by disclosing
said information.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988; SCC 1086 § 4,
1997; SCC 1366 § 5, 2007)
Except for persons exempt pursuant to Government Code Section
6103, every application for an alarm system permit shall be accompanied
by a non-refundable fee in an amount set by resolution of the Sacramento
County Board of Supervisors. This fee shall be in addition to any
other fee imposed by Sacramento County and is imposed for the purpose
of defraying the costs of processing and overseeing the permit process
and the cost of patrol response for false alarms.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988; SCC 1086 § 5,
1997)
a.
Any alarm system permit issued in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall be valid only as to the person named on the permit, and only for the particular address specified on the permit and shall not expire so long as there is no change of the named permittee or address, except as provided in Section 9.96.106.
b.
In the
event the permittee's name is legally changed, the permittee shall
so inform the Sheriff within 10 days of such change and no fee shall
be assessed to correct the permit.
c.
The
permittee shall inform the Sheriff of any other general information
changes to the application within 10 days after such change, and no
fee shall be assessed for changing the Sheriff's records.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988; SCC 1366 § 6,
2007)
All permits issued will require renewal every two years accompanied
by a non-refundable fee in an amount set by resolution of the Sacramento
County Board of Supervisors. All permits issued prior to July 1, 2005,
will be subject to the renewal fee. All permits issued between July
1, 2005 and July 1, 2007, must be renewed in accordance with the provisions
of this section, but the fee for this renewal shall be waived.
(SCC 1366 § 7, 2007)
a.
As hereafter
provided, false alarms shall incur a service fee, calculated per calendar
year, payable to the County in an amount set by resolution of the
Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. Multiple false alarms in one
calendar day shall be counted as one alarm for the purpose of assessing
fees.
b.
Payment
of Fee: A service fee invoice shall be mailed to the alarm user within
30 days of the false alarm. The service fee is due and owing not later
than 30 days after the date of mailing the invoice. The date of mailing
shall appear on the invoice. Fees received after the due date shall
be subject to a late fee of $25. Fees received more than 60 days after
the due date shall be subject to an additional late fee of $25
c.
Discontinuance
of Response: In addition to any other action that may be taken by
the Sheriff pursuant to this chapter, the Sheriff may discontinue
responding to an alarm at any location if the Sheriff has responded
to six or more false alarms at the location during any calendar year.
The period of non-response shall be determined by the Sheriff, but
shall not exceed six months. It shall apply to permit holders as well
as persons who are unlawfully operating an alarm system without a
permit or with a permit that has been suspended. The Sheriff may shorten
the period of non-response imposed upon receipt of satisfactory evidence
that the problem creating the false alarms has been corrected. In
addition, the Sheriff may discontinue response in the event that any
false alarm service fee or fees remain unpaid 60 days after invoice,
until such time as such fees are paid, plus an additional five business
days in order to allow sufficient time to process payments.
d.
Appeal:
Any person may appeal the assessment of a false alarm service fee
by filing a notice of appeal with the Sheriff within 15 days of the
mailing of the service fee invoice. The service fee invoice shall
advise the person to whom the fee is assessed of the right to appeal.
The notice of appeal shall state all reasons why the appealing party
believes that the fee was improperly assessed and shall be accompanied
by any documentary evidence that the appealing party wishes to be
considered. The appeal and all documentation shall be reviewed by
the Sheriff or the Sheriff's designee. The decision of the Sheriff
or the Sheriff's designee shall be final. In the event that it is
determined that the false alarm fee was improperly assessed, the fee
shall be canceled.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988; SCC 1086 § 6,
1997; SCC 1366 § 8, 2007)
When grounds as hereafter provided exist, the Sheriff may determine
to suspend a permit. Suspensions of permits shall be for a maximum
of 365 calendar days. Use of the alarm system during a suspension
of the permit shall be a violation of this chapter. The following
shall constitute grounds for suspension of an alarm permit:
A.
The
violation of any of the provisions of this chapter.
B.
A false
statement on the permit application.
C.
Failure to pay any fine assessed by a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to Section 9.96.165 of this chapter.
D.
Failure to pay any false alarm service fee pursuant to Section 9.96.110(b) of this chapter or service fee pursuant to Section 9.96.165(b) of this chapter.
E.
Dispatch
procedures for false alarm activations in excess of four within a
12 month period. After four false alarm activations within a 12 month
period, at any alarm site, the Sheriff will require verification of
each subsequent alarm before dispatching a unit. In the event verification
is unavailable, the Sheriff will broadcast the alarm notification
and file it. For example, an unverified burglar alarm call will be
broadcast and remain in the dispatcher's queue for a few minutes.
It will be at the discretion of the officer in the field to determine
if a response is warranted. The officer's decision will be based upon
calls pending in the district, familiarity with the alarm site, and
knowledge of chronic false alarms at the location. If an officer does
not request the alarm call, the call will be closed out by the dispatcher.
When the Sheriff's Office Communications Center is notified
of burglar alarm activation, the Communications Center shall determine
if the complainant observed any activity consistent with a burglary
at the alarmed location. The complainant shall not be asked to return
to the location and look for evidence of criminal activity.
Exception: Verification is not required for burglar alarm activation
at a location monitored by the Sheriff's Office Communications Center
(e.g., County Offices). Verification is also not required at premises,
buildings or facilities controlled or monitored by federal, state,
or local agencies, or the location of a licensed firearms business.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988; SCC 1086 § 7,
1997; SCC 1366 § 10, 2007; SCC 1703 § 6, 2022)
If an application for a permit is denied or a permit is to be considered for suspension pursuant to Section 9.96.115 the Sheriff shall serve on the applicant or permittee a written notice of the Sheriff's proposed action including, in the case of suspension, the length of the proposed suspension, and of the right to a hearing on the matter. Service shall be by certified/registered mail to the applicant's or permittee's last known address. Service shall be considered complete five days after such mailing. The applicant or permittee may, within 10 calendar days after service of the Sheriff's notification, file a request for hearing. Such request shall be in writing and mailed or deposited with the Sheriff at 4500 Orange Grove Avenue, Sacramento, California, and shall be accompanied by a filing fee in an amount set by resolution of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors to cover the cost of processing the appeal. The filing fee shall be refunded to the applicant or permittee in the event that the applicant or permittee prevails at the hearing. If no request for hearing is filed within the time and in the manner prescribed above, the right to a hearing on the proposed denial or suspension shall be deemed to have been waived and the Sheriff may proceed to deny or suspend the permit according to the terms of the original notice of proposed action.
Upon receiving a written request for a hearing, the Sheriff
shall serve on the applicant or permittee by first class mail, a notice
of the time and place of hearing. Service shall be made at least 10
calendar days prior to the date set for hearing.
Upon the receipt of a written request for a hearing, in the case of a suspension, the Sheriff shall take no further suspension action until a hearing has been held pursuant to Section 9.96.130 and the Sheriff has the written decision of the Hearing Officer.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988; SCC 1086 § 8,
1997; SCC 1366 § 10, 2007; SCC 1703 § 7, 2022)
The hearing prescribed described by Section 9.96.130 shall be conducted by an individual who is designated by the County Executive. The individual may be an employee of the County who is not assigned to the Sheriff's Office or otherwise subordinate to the Sheriff, or an individual who is not an employee, retained pursuant to a contract to provide such services. The County Executive is hereby authorized to contract in the name of the County for the services of such a Hearing Officer at rates for such services which do not exceed $75 per hour of service rendered.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988; SCC 1703 § 8,
2022)
In the event of a request for a hearing by the applicant or
permittee, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, a hearing shall
be conducted by the Hearing Officer. The Sheriff shall carry the burden
of proof that grounds exist for denial or suspension. The applicant
or permittee may appear, present evidence and examine and cross-examine
witnesses. In the event the applicant or permittee fails to appear
at the time, date and place appointed for the hearing, the hearing
shall be conducted in the absence of the applicant or permittee and
the Hearing Officer shall render a decision based upon evidence presented
during the hearing. For good cause, the hearing may be continued upon
request of either the Sheriff, applicant, or permittee. The hearing
shall be tape recorded, and all documents presented as evidence shall
be maintained as part of the record of the hearing. At the request
of either the Sheriff, applicant, or permittee, the Clerk of the Board
of Supervisors shall, on behalf of the Board, issue subpoenas for
attendance of witnesses at the hearing.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the Hearing Officer shall issue a written decision, including findings of fact and conclusions. In the case of a permit suspension, the decision shall determine the length of the suspension. The decision of the Hearing Officer shall be final as to all parties, and the provisions of Section 8.36.010 of the Sacramento County Code shall not be applicable to proceedings under this chapter. If the Hearing Officer's decision is adverse to the applicant or permittee, the decision shall advise that if the applicant or permittee wishes to seek judicial review, guidance should be sought from Chapter 1.06 of the Sacramento County Code, and a copy of Chapter 1.06 shall be attached to the decision. The decision shall further advise the permittee that the time limits for judicial review are governed by section 1094.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988; SCC 1086 § 2,
1997)
a.
No alarm
system shall be installed or connected on or after January 1, 1988,
which emits the sound of a siren. Any alarm system which emits the
sound of a siren and which is installed and in operation prior to
January 1, 1987, shall have that part of the alarm system disconnected
prior to January 1, 1988.
b.
Every
alarm system permit, or a copy thereof, shall be kept on the premises
where the alarm is installed.
c.
In those
cases where the perpetrator of a robbery or burglary has fled the
scene of the crime, the 911 emergency line is to be used for notification
of the Sheriff, and the alarm system should not be activated.
d.
Alarm systems shall be equipped with an automatic shutoff or reset feature which deactivates the alarm within fifteen minutes after it is first activated and which has an auxiliary power system capable of operating the system for at least four hours in the event of the interruption or failure of utility power. Alarm systems which have been installed prior to January 1, 1989, and which do not have the automatic shutoff or reset feature, shall be so equipped prior to January 1, 1990. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a permittee who maintains or operates an alarm system without an automatic shutoff or reset feature shall be subject to the provisions of Section 9.96.155 of this chapter.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988)
a.
The
alarm company shall provide written and/oral instructions to each
of its alarm users in the proper use and operation of their alarm
systems. Such instructions will specifically include all instructions
necessary to turn the alarm system on and off and to avoid false alarms.
b.
Upon
the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, alarm
companies shall not program alarm systems so that they are capable
of sending one plus duress alarms. The alarm company shall remove
the one plus duress alarm feature from alarm systems whenever an alarm
technician is at the alarm site or otherwise accessing the panel for
reprogramming purposes.
c.
Upon
the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, alarm
companies shall not install a device to activate a holdup alarm, which
is a single action, non-recessed button.
d.
Alarm
systems installed in Sacramento County after July 1, 2007 shall be
listed with the Underwriters Laboratory, Inc., or be marked to state
by other nationally recognized testing organizations, "Design evaluated
in accordance with SIA CP-01 Control Panel Standard Features for False
Alarm Reduction." The Sheriff may grant an exception to the requirement
when the Sheriff determines that the alarm system, device or component
is substantially equivalent to, or exceeds, the applicable Underwriters
Laboratory, Inc. alarm testing standards.
e.
An alarm
company shall not use automatic voice dialers.
f.
After
completion of the installation of an alarm system, an alarm company
employee shall review with the alarm user the customer false alarm
prevention checklist (Appendix C) or an equivalent checklist approved
by the Sheriff.
g.
The
alarm company shall not make a request for police services of the
County in response to a burglar alarm signal, excluding panic, duress
and holdup signals, during the first seven days following an alarm
system installation. The Sheriff may grant a person's request for
an exemption from this waiting period based upon a determination that
special circumstances substantiate the need for the exemption.
h.
The
alarm company shall:
(1)
Report alarm signals by using telephone numbers designated by the
Sheriff;
(2)
Verify every alarm signal, except a duress or holdup alarm activation,
using the enhanced call verification (ECV) or two call verification
before initiating a request for police services;
(3)
Communicate requests for police services to the County in a manner
and form determined by the Sheriff;
(4)
Communicate cancellations to the County in a manner and form determined
by the Sheriff;
(5)
Ensure that all alarm users of alarm systems equipped with a duress,
holdup or panic alarm are given adequate training as to the proper
use of the duress, holdup or panic alarm;
(6)
Communicate any available information (north, south, front, back,
floor, etc.) about the location on all alarm signals related to the
request for police services;
(7)
Communicate nature of alarm (i.e.: burglary, robbery, panic, duress,
silent, audible, interior or perimeter);
(8)
Provide an alarm user permit number when requesting police services;
(9)
After a request for police services, promptly advise the communications
center if the alarm company knows that any person is responding to
the alarm site;
(10)
Attempt to contact the person named on the permit within 24 hours
via mail, fax, telephone or other electronic means when a request
for police services is made; and
(11)
Upon the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter,
alarm companies shall maintain for a period of at least one year from
the date of any request for police services all records relating to
that request. Records must include the name, address and telephone
number of the alarm user, the alarm system zone(s) activated, the
time of request for police services and evidence of an attempt to
verify. The Sheriff may request copies of such records for individually
named alarm users. If the request is made within 60 days of a request
for police services, the alarm company shall furnish requested records
within three business days of receiving the request. If the records
are requested between 60 days to one year after a request for police
services, the alarm company shall furnish the requested records within
30 days of receiving the request.
i.
An alarm
company that purchases alarm system accounts from another person shall
notify the Sheriff of such purchase and provide details as may be
reasonably requested by the Sheriff.
j.
Each
alarm company must designate one individual as the alarm response
manager (ARM) for the company who will manage alarm related issues
and act as the point of contact for the Sheriff. The appointed individual
must be knowledgeable of the general provisions of the Ordinance,
as well as have the knowledge and authority to deal with false alarm
issues and respond to requests from the Sheriff. The name, phone number,
and email address of the designated ARM shall be provided to the Sheriff.
k.
An alarm
company shall submit in a biannual report to the Sheriff a current
list of all alarm systems within Sacramento County that are monitored
by such installation or monitoring company. The information in the
report shall include, but not be limited to, the location of each
alarm system monitored by the alarm company (e.g. street address);
the name, address and telephone number of the system subscriber; the
number, type and location of alarm systems at that location; the name,
address and telephone number of an emergency contact person for such
location; the locations (e.g. street address) that are no longer monitored
by the alarm company; and such other information as the Sheriff reasonably
deems necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this chapter
(ordinance).
l.
Alarm
companies shall assist in obtaining the initial alarm permit and registration
fee from the alarm user and submit it to the Sheriff within 15 days
of connecting or commencing to operate an alarm system.
(SCC 1366 § 11, 2007)
A.
All
persons operating an alarm system shall:
(2)
Maintain the alarm site and the alarm system in a manner that will
minimize or eliminate false alarms;
(3)
Make every reasonable effort to have a responder to the alarm system's
location within 30 minutes when requested by the law enforcement agency
in order to:
(a)
Deactivate an alarm system;
(b)
Provide access to the alarm site; and/or
(c)
Provide alternative security for the alarm site.
|
NOTE: In the event that the responder has an extended arrival
time or the officer must leave to respond to other priority calls,
the responder may call back to the communications center after arriving
at the alarm site. The responder can request police services to check
the alarm site should the responder find it necessary due to suspicious
activity.
|
(4)
Not activate an alarm system for any reason other than an occurrence
of an event that the alarm system was intended to report.
B.
An alarm
user shall adjust the mechanism or cause the mechanism to be adjusted
so that an alarm signal audible on the exterior of an alarm site will
sound for no longer than 10 minutes after being activated.
C.
An alarm
user shall have a licensed alarm installation company inspect the
alarm system after two false alarms in a calendar year. The Sheriff
may waive a required inspection if it determines that a false alarm(s)
could not have been related to a defect or malfunction in the alarm
system. After four false alarms within a calendar year, the alarm
user must have a licensed alarm company modify the alarm system to
be more false alarm resistant and provide additional user training
as appropriate. If the alarm user has been placed on verified response,
the sheriff will determine if the alarm system has been corrected
and determine if the procedures outlined in SCC 9.96.081 shall resume.
D.
An alarm
user shall not use automatic voice dialers.
E.
An alarm
user shall maintain at each alarm site, a set of written operating
instructions for each alarm system.
F.
All
alarm users shall agree with their alarm company to go through an
"acclimation period" for the first seven days after installation of
an alarm system during which time the alarm company will have no obligation
to and will not respond to any alarm signal from the alarm site, excluding
panic, duress and holdup signals, and will not make a request for
police services even if the alarm signal is the result of an actual
alarm event.
G.
This
section applies to all individuals and firms, who have installed and/or
monitor their own alarm system.
(SCC 1366 § 12, 2007)
A.
No automatic
dialing device shall be interconnected to a primary trunkline of the
Sheriff's Office or 911 Emergency Center trunkline after January 1,
1987. Any such automatic dialing device so interconnected prior to
January 1, 1987, shall be disconnected prior to July 1, 1987. The
permittee of the alarm system shall be responsible for having the
device disconnected.
C.
The
relaying of messages to the Sheriff's Office by a modified central
station or an answering service may be over a special trunkline unless
the special trunkline is unavailable. The relaying of messages by
a central station may be over a direct line. After January 1, 1987,
no alarm messages may be relayed to the Sheriff using the 911 Emergency
Center or 911 trunklines. If special trunklines are not available,
all relaying of messages by a modified central station or answering
service may be over a primary trunkline.
D.
The
relaying of messages to the Sheriff's Office by an automatic dialing
device may not be interconnected directly to the Sheriff's Office,
or indirectly to the telephone company operator, Sacramento County
telephone operator, or 911 Emergency Center operator.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988; SCC 1703 § 9,
2022)
A robbery or panic alarm system is to be activated in the event
of a robbery, burglary or life threatening situation, in progress.
Any other use is prohibited. Violation of this section shall be a
misdemeanor pursuant to Penal Code Section 148.3.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988)
The permittee shall notify the Sheriff of any impending service,
test, or maintenance of the permittee's alarm system which may signal
a false alarm. An alarm activated where such prior notice has been
given shall not constitute a false alarm.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988)
An alarm system may be declared a public nuisance, as set forth
in the Penal Code, Section 370, and the permittee responsible for
such alarm system may be guilty of a misdemeanor, in accordance with
Penal Code Section 372, under the following conditions:
a.
When
the alarm system generates an audible sound on the premises for a
period longer than 15 minutes; period;
b.
When
the alarm system generates three or more false alarms within any 24
consecutive hour
c.
When
the alarm system has been assessed three or more service fees within
any 12 consecutive month period.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988)
No alarm company shall continue to monitor an alarm system upon
any property within the County of Sacramento if the alarm user does
not have a valid permit issued pursuant to this chapter within 15
days of installation of an alarm system. Each alarm company shall
provide a copy of this ordinance to each person with whom it signs
a contract to install and/or monitor an alarm system upon the signing
of the contract. Failure to comply shall be a violation of this chapter.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988; SCC 1086 § 10,
1997)
Any central station, modified central station, or answering
service that relays messages to the Sheriff's Office, and requests
the dispatch of deputies to an alarm system location, shall maintain
and shall provide the following information to the Sheriff's dispatch
at the time each message is relayed:
1.
The
name of the permittee;
2.
The
address and phone number of the alarm system; and
3.
The
alarm permit number.
|
Failure to comply shall be a violation of this chapter.
|
(SCC 1086 § 11, 1997; SCC 1366 § 13, 2007; SCC 1703 § 10,
2022)
a.
Except
as otherwise specifically provided, pursuant to the provisions of
Government Code Section 25132, violation of any of the provisions
contained in this chapter shall constitute an infraction punishable
by a fine in an amount set by resolution of the Sacramento County
Board of Supervisors.
The Sheriff is the enforcing official charged with the responsibility
for administering the provisions of this chapter. Pursuant to the
provisions of Section 836.5 of the Penal Code, employees assigned
to the Sheriff's Alarm Bureau as directed by the Sheriff and acting
under the direction and control of the Sheriff, shall be authorized
to enforce and arrest persons without a warrant for violations of
the provisions of this chapter.
The Sheriff is hereby empowered, pursuant to Sections 25132
and 25203 of the Government Code, to seek recovery of the fines or
false alarm service fees by civil action in small claims court.
b.
All
remedies set forth in this chapter are cumulative and the use of one
or more remedies shall not bar the use of any other remedy for the
purpose of enforcing the provisions of this chapter.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988; SCC 0852 § 1,
1991; SCC 1086 § 12, 1997; SCC 1366 § 14, 2007)
The provisions of this chapter are not intended or shall they
be construed to create a special relationship between Sacramento County
and any alarm system permittee so as to create a duty on the part
of the Sacramento County Sheriff to respond to any alarm. Neither
shall the provisions of this chapter be construed as a waiver of any
immunity provided governmental agencies for tort liability contained
in the California Government Code.
(SCC 667 § 1, 1986; SCC
0747 § 2, 1988)
