[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Board of
the Township of Grosse Ile 3-12-1990 by Ord. No. 173. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Smoke detectors — See Ch. 220.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
A device or assembly of equipment designated for the detection
of an unauthorized entry of premises or for alerting others of the
commission of an unlawful act or for detection of fire and which,
when activated, emits a sound or transmits a signal or message. The
term "alarm system" shall include, but not be limited to, the terms
"automatic holdup alarm system," "burglar alarm system," "intrusion
alarm system," "holdup alarm system," "manual holdup alarm system,"
"police alarm system" and "fire alarm system."
Any person, firm, corporation or other entity on whose premises
an alarm system is maintained within the Township, except for alarm
systems on motor vehicles or boats. If, however, an alarm on a motor
vehicle or boat is connected with an alarm system at a premises, the
person using such alarm system is an alarm user. Excluded from this
definition and from coverage of this chapter are persons who use an
alarm system to alert or signal persons within the premises in which
the alarm system is located of an attempted unauthorized intrusion
or holdup attempt unless such a system also employs an audible signal
emitting sounds or flashing light or beacon designated to signal person(s)
outside the premises.
Any alarm condition which is registered at the Police Department
or Fire Department or elsewhere not resulting from criminal activity
or a fire for which the alarm was intended. It shall also include
any alarm condition which is activated and registered at the Police
Department or Fire Department for the purpose of summoning Police
Department or Fire Department personnel to respond to some event other
than what is reasonably believed to be an unlawful act, or unauthorized
entry onto the premises, or of the existence of a fire or potential
fire condition. In the case of a fire alarm, a false alarm is any
alarm condition which is registered at the Police Department or Fire
Department or elsewhere not resulting from a fire or potential fire
condition. Not included in this definition is any alarm caused by
weather conditions.
Any individual, partnership or corporation or other entity,
but not including any governmental unit.
[Amended 7-22-2002]
The alarm user shall be required to pay the
Township a sum as set from time to time by the Township Board for
each false alarm after the first two in a given calendar year. No
alarm user shall be required to pay said fee on the first two occasions
of a false alarm during any one calendar year (January 1 through December
31), but shall be advised in writing of said false alarm and of the
existence of the chapter from which this section is derived.
Following the response of police personnel or
fire personnel to an alarm call deemed to be false, a representative
of the Police Chief or Fire Chief shall mail such alarm notification
form to the alarm user on which shall be indicated the number of alarms
received within the calendar year and any fee due in accordance with
this chapter.
A.
Exemptions.
(1)
Alarm conditions caused by the following circumstances
shall not constitute a false alarm, and no false alarm fee shall be
charged by the Township:
(a)
Alarm system malfunctions, if corrective measures
have been instituted within 96 hours of notification by the Police
Department or Fire Department, provided that the alarm user presents
documentation of repair service having been performed by the alarm
company to remedy malfunction.
(b)
Storm conditions.
(c)
Alarm activated by disruption of electrical power
or disturbance of telephone or other communication systems.
(d)
Alarm conditions being activated by persons working
on the alarm system with prior notification to the Police Department
or Fire Department.
(2)
In Subsection A(1)(a) through (d), it shall be the responsibility of the alarm user to notify the Police Department or Fire Department by filling out the alarm notification form and returning it to the Police Department or Fire Department within 10 days of receipt of the alarm notification form. Failure to notify the Police Department or Fire Department will result in an automatic billing to the user.
B.
If, upon receiving a false alarm notice, the alarm
user wishes to request a waiver of the assessment of the fee due to
extenuating circumstances, he may do so in writing within 10 days
of the assessment date. The notice to the Police Department or Fire
Department shall contain documentation of the extenuating circumstances
involved. Within 10 days of the receipt of the waiver request by the
Police Department or the Fire Department, the Police Chief or the
Fire Chief, or their designee, shall make a determination on the waiver
request and shall notify the alarm user of the decision.
Alarm systems employing audible signals, as
of the effective date of this chapter, shall be equipped with shutoff
devices that automatically silence the audible signal after 15 minutes.
It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly
communicate, publish, file, or participate in the communication or
publication or filing of any false alarm.
