[Adopted 5-13-1991]
For the purposes of this article, the following definitions shall be applicable unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary:
ALARM SYSTEM
Includes any mechanical or electrical device which is designed or used for the detection of burglary, robbery, fire or other hazard within a building, structure or facility or for alerting others to the commission of an unlawful act or hazard, or either or both, within a building, structure or facility, including all necessary equipment designed and installed for the detection or the alerting of others to burglary, robbery, fire or other hazard in a single building, structure or facility or for alerting others to the commission of an unlawful act within a building, structure or facility, or any of them; provided, however, that devices which are not designed or used to register alarms which are audible, visible or perceptible outside the protected building, structure or facility are not included within this definition.
CALENDAR YEAR
The period beginning January 1 and terminating on December 31, both dates inclusive.
FALSE ALARM
Includes the activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction or improper installation or because of the negligence of the owner or lessee or the agent, servant, employee or business invitee or the agent, servant, employee or business invitee of the owner or lessee, including the use of an alarm to summon Police Department or Fire Department personnel for reasons other than those listed on the alarm system but which shall not include alarms which, in the opinion of the Police Department of the City of Lewes, are caused by floods, severe weather conditions or other natural disasters.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
PERSON
Includes an individual, natural person, joint-stock company, partnership, voluntary association, society, club, firm, company, corporation, business trust, organization or any other group acting as a unit or the manager, lessee, agent, servant, partner, member, director, officer or employee of any of them, including an executive, administrator, trustee, receiver or other representative appointed according to law.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
It shall be the responsibility of the person having a burglar, robbery, holdup or fire or any other type of intrusion alarm to advise the Police Department of the name, address and telephone number of the person to be contacted in the event of an alarm. If the person having a burglar, robbery, holdup or fire or other intrusion alarm fails to provide the information required by this section or to revise as it becomes necessary so that the information is current, the activation of any alarm during the period of time when the information required by this section has not been provided or at a time when the information required by this section is not correct be and is hereby declared to be a false alarm.
A. 
Any person having a burglar, fire, robbery, holdup or any other type of intrusion alarm shall be charged a fee of $25 for the third, fourth and fifth false alarms responded to by the Police Department or the Fire Department, or both of them, within a calendar year. For false alarms six through nine, inclusive, occurring in any calendar year, a fee of $50 shall be charged for each such false alarm responded to by the Police Department or the Fire Department, or either or both of them, within a calendar year. For the 10th and each subsequent false alarm responded to by the Police Department or the Fire Department, or either or both of them, within a calendar year, a fee of $100 for each such false alarm shall be charged to the person, firm or corporation having a burglar, robbery, holdup or fire or any other type of intrusion alarm.
B. 
The Police Department of the City of Lewes shall maintain records of all alarms and will report to the City Council any building, structure or facility which produces a high frequency of false alarms.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
C. 
Any fees imposed pursuant to the provisions of this article shall be collected in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of The City of Lewes regulating collection of fees and other charges.