[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Sanford
as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 7-6-2021 by Order No. 21-287-01]
A.
ALARM SITE
ALARM SYSTEM
CALENDAR YEAR
CHIEF
FALSE ALARM
For purposes of this article, the following definitions shall apply:
Location served by an alarm system.
Device or system which transmits a signal intended to give
notice of an emergency or activity that requires police assistance.
The term does not include a system installed on a vehicle, personal
safety alarm device, or a system designed to alert only the persons
within a premises which does not emit a signal visible or audible
outside of the premises.
January 1 to December 31.
Chief of Police or his authorized representative.
An alarm system activation where there is no evidence of
a crime or other activity that warrants a call for police assistance.
B.
False alarms include, but are not limited to:
(1)
Error or mistake: any action by any person, which results in the
activation of any alarm system when no emergency exists.
(2)
Malfunction: any activation of any alarm system caused by a flaw
in the normal operation, design, installation, or faulty equipment.
(3)
Intentional misuse: any activation of an alarm system when it is
known there is no emergency present.
C.
False alarm determination. The Chief shall not consider an alarm
to be false if it is determined that the alarm was caused by:
(1)
A natural or man-made disaster.
(2)
Severe weather.
(3)
Vandalism.
(4)
Power or telephone line outage.
(5)
Accidental activation by an employee or occupant, provided that the
alarm is immediately reported to the Police Department and requires
no police response.
(6)
The test of an alarm system by an authorized alarm agent, who is
present at the alarm site inspecting, servicing, repairing, or installing
the alarm.
D.
Alarm site information is required by any owner of residential or
business property that has an active alarm system. A business or residence
alarm site information form is to be completed and submitted to the
Sanford Police Department.
E.
Penalty.
(1)
The City shall charge a fee for each false alarm to which the Police
Department responds.
(2)
Fees will be in accordance with the False Alarm Fee Schedule.
|
Number of False Alarms
|
Fee
|
Statutory or Code Reference
|
|---|---|---|
|
1 to 2
|
$0
| |
|
3
|
$25
| |
|
4 to 6
|
$50
| |
|
7 or more
|
$100
|
(3)
The number of false alarms shall be based upon the calendar year
and shall be recalculated annually.
(4)
The Police Department shall, on a monthly basis, send to the property
owner or business, at the address listed on the alarm site information
form, a statement of fees due. The fees shall be paid within 30 days
of the statement and shall be delinquent after such thirty-day period.
The City reserves the right to collect such false alarm fees as otherwise
permitted by law.
(5)
City buildings and public educational sites are exempt from false
alarm fees that are assessed under this article but shall comply with
all other requirements of this article.
