[R.O. 2010 §240.010; CC 1970 §2A-1; Ord. No. 9-82 §1, 5-25-1982]
A. 
The purpose of this Chapter is to provide minimum standards and regulations applicable to emergency alarm systems, alarm businesses, alarm agents and alarm users as defined in this Section.
B. 
For the purposes of this Chapter, the following terms, phrases and words shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this Subsection:
ALARM BUSINESS
Any business operated by a person who engages in the activity of altering, installing, leasing, maintaining, removing, repairing, replacing, selling, servicing or responding to an emergency alarm system, or which causes any of these activities to take place.
ALARM INSTALLER
The person or company installing the alarm, including the resident who may install his/her own alarm.
ALARM USER
Any person on whose premises an alarm system is maintained within the City except for alarm systems on motor vehicles.
AUTOMATIC DIALING DEVICE
An alarm system which automatically sends over a regular telephone line, by direct connection or otherwise, a prerecorded voice message or coded signal indicating the existence of the emergency situation that the alarm system is designed to detect.
DIRECT CONNECT ALARM
An alarm system directly connected to the monitoring panel installed at the communications panel in the City Police Department.
LOCAL ALARM SYSTEM
An alarm system which when activated causes an audible and/or visible signaling device to be activated in or on the premises within which the system is installed.
NON-VALID ALARM
The activation of an alarm system through mechanical or electronic failure, malfunction, improper installation or the negligence of the owner or lessee of an alarm system or of his/her employees or agents; except, that the following shall not be considered as non-valid claims:
1. 
Alarms caused by the failure or malfunction of the monitoring equipment located in the City Police Department; or
2. 
Alarms caused by an act of God such as earthquakes, floods, windstorms, thunder or lightning; or
3. 
Alarms occurring on a reported basis without apparent cause but where continuous effort, in the sole opinion of the Chief of Police, is being made jointly by the alarm user and alarm business to correct the malfunctions expeditiously; or
4. 
Alarms caused by an attempted illegal entry of which there is visible evidence; or
5. 
Alarms intentionally caused by a person acting under a reasonable belief that a need exists to call for emergency aid from the police or Fire Department; or
6. 
Alarms followed by an immediate call to the Police Department canceling the alarm by giving proper code numbers, such call having been made prior to the arrival of the police or Fire Departments.
In determining the existence of a non-valid alarm, if the Police Chief finds that a reasonable doubt exists as to the cause of the alarm, he/she may determine the alarm not to be a non-valid alarm.
[R.O. 2010 §240.020; CC 1970 §2A-2; Ord. No. 30-87 §1, 10-5-1987]
A. 
Any alarm business or alarm installer desiring to install an emergency alarm system shall first register with the City Police Department within one (1) week after installation. No charge for any non-valid alarm shall be made during the first two (2) weeks after the registration of said alarm. The following information shall be registered:
1. 
The type of alarm;
2. 
The name, address and telephone number of the alarm user;
3. 
The name of the alarm business or alarm installer which will install the system;
4. 
The name and address of the agency which the user will contact for repair service; and
5. 
The name and address of the agency to which the alarm system will be connected or if it is not connected to any agent, this fact shall be so stated.
[R.O. 2010 §240.030; CC 1970 §2A-3; Ord. No. 9-82 §3, 5-25-1982]
All emergency alarm systems equipped with any exterior sound-producing device including, but not limited to gongs, buzzers, sirens, bells or horns shall be equipped with a time device which limits the operation of such exterior sound producing device to fifteen (15) minutes; except, that commercial installations shall be permitted thirty (30) minutes. Installers shall furnish the City written evidence from the manufacturer that the alarm complies with this Section.
[R.O. 2010 §240.040; CC 1970 §2A-4; Ord. No. 9-82 §4, 5-25-1982]
A. 
All automatic dialing devices shall be installed on a phone approved by the City Administrator. No such device shall be keyed to the primary emergency line of the City Police Department or the emergency "911" number. All automatic dialing devices shall be so constructed as to discontinue dialing after the initial call has been answered at the communication center.
B. 
Within ninety (90) days of May 25, 1982, all automatic dialing devices keyed to an emergency line or "911" shall be changed to the designated number.
[R.O. 2010 §240.050; CC 1970 §2A-5; Ord. No. 30-87 §2, 10-5-1987]
A. 
The following penalties shall be imposed for violation of this Chapter:
1. 
Non-valid alarms in excess of three (3) for any twelve (12) month period to which the Fire or Police Departments respond shall result in the following penalties:
a. 
A $10.00 service charge for the fourth (4th) non-valid alarm.
b. 
A $20.00 service charge for the fifth (5th) non-valid alarm.
c. 
A $30.00 service charge for the sixth (6th) non-valid alarm.
2. 
If any alarm business shall fail to register with the City as required under Section 235.020 or shall fail to check with the Police Department before servicing any system thereby causing a non-valid alarm, such business shall pay a penalty of ten dollars ($10.00).
3. 
If more than six (6) non-valid alarms are responded to in any twelve (12) month period, the Chief of Police may then terminate service upon giving ten (10) days' written notice or in the case of alarm systems not connected to the City, a fifty dollar ($50.00) service charge shall be levied for each subsequent non-valid alarm. Any person given notice of intent to terminate service shall have the right to appeal such action to the City Administrator, who shall bring such appeal before the Board of Aldermen. Any action to terminate service shall be suspended pending the final decision of the Board of Aldermen.
[R.O. 2010 §240.060; CC 1970 §2A-6; Ord. No. 9-82 §6, 5-25-1982]
Penalties included in Section 235.050 shall be imposed administratively by the Chief of Police. Failure to pay such penalties within a period of thirty (30) days shall be considered a violation of this Chapter and, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00). Each day that such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
[R.O. 2010 §240.070; CC 1970 §2A-7; Ord. No. 9-82 §7, 5-25-1982]
The City shall not be liable for any defects in operation of automatic dialing devices or signal line systems or for failure or neglect to respond appropriately upon receipt of an alarm from any such source. In the event that the City finds it necessary to disconnect an emergency alarm system, the City shall incur no liability by such action.