[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Monroe as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building and construction codes — See Ch. 275.
Fire prevention — See Ch. 345.
[Adopted 4-10-1972 by Ord. No. 72-006]
[Amended 5-3-1982 by Ord. No. 82-003]
No person shall engage in the activity of installing, leasing, maintaining, repairing, replacing, servicing or responding to burglar, holdup or fire alarm systems for profit, within the City, unless he or she is licensed pursuant to the statutes of the State of Michigan.
[1]
Editor's Note: Original § 814.001, Person defined, which immediately preceded this section, was repealed 12-11-1996 by Ord. No. 96-021. Original §§ 814.02, Alarm connection permit required; applications; 814.03, False alarms; 814.04, Contract costs; and 814.05, Inspections; disconnections, which immediately followed this section were repealed 12-11-1996 by Ord. No. 96-021. See now Art. II of this chapter.
[Adopted 12-11-1996 by Ord. No. 96-021]
For the purposes of this article, the following definitions shall apply:
ALARM SYSTEM
A detection device or an assembly of equipment and devices, or a single device, arranged to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent attention to which police, fire or emergency medical service personnel are expected to respond.
ALARM SYSTEM USER
Any person, business, corporation, firm, partnership or association on whose premises an alarm system is maintained within the City.
EXCESSIVE FALSE ALARMS
Five or more false alarms from an alarm system during a calendar year (January 1 through December 31).
FALSE ALARM
The activation of an alarm system, causing an audible or visual signal, through mechanical failure or malfunction, faulty equipment, improper installation or the negligence or improper or mistaken use by the alarm system user or the employees or agents of the alarm system user, which shall be established when there is no evidence of criminal activity, illegal entry or an attempt thereof, or of fire or the need for medical attention, upon the activation of the alarm system. Excluded from the definition of a "false alarm" are:
A. 
Alarm systems that are activated as the result of an electrical interruption due to a power shortage or outage, if such interruption is confirmed with the utility company providing the electrical service.
B. 
Alarm systems that are activated as the result of a disruption or disturbance of telephone or other communication systems, if such disruption or disturbance is confirmed with the utility company which provides the telephone or communication system.
C. 
Alarm systems that are activated as the result of severe weather or other violent conditions beyond the control of the alarm system user.
D. 
Alarm systems that are activated by persons working on the alarm system, or testing the alarm system, with prior notification to the Police Department and Fire Department of the City of Monroe.
The occurrence of five or more false alarms within a calendar year (January 1 through December 31) shall constitute a violation of this chapter and shall be designated as a Municipal civil infraction, subjecting the alarm system user to the following civil fines:
A. 
Fifth false alarm requiring response by police/fire/emergency medical service personnel during a calendar year: $50.
B. 
Sixth false alarm requiring response by police/fire/emergency medical service personnel during a calendar year: $125.
C. 
Seventh false alarm requiring response by police/fire/emergency medical service personnel during a calendar year: $275.
D. 
Eighth and every subsequent false alarm requiring response by police/fire/emergency medical service personnel during a calendar year: $500 per false alarm.
Upon the fourth false alarm during a calendar year (January 1 through December 31), the Chief of Police or his or her designee shall serve written notice upon the alarm system user that the alarm system user will be subject to the civil infraction fines as designated in § 168-3 upon the fifth false alarm, and for each false alarm thereafter, in a calendar year (January 1 through December 31).
All alarms systems which emit an audible signal (commonly referred to as local alarms) beyond the boundaries of the premises protected must have an automatic shutoff feature which silences the audible portion of the alarm system within 15 minutes of said activation. This section shall not apply to fire alarm systems.
No person, business, corporation, firm, partnership or association shall install, use, operate, adjust, arrange for or contract to provide a device or combination of devices that will, upon activation, either mechanically, electronically or by other means, initiate the automatic calling, dialing or connection directly to any City of Monroe Police Department or Fire Department telephone number.
In addition to the provisions contained in § 168-3, any alarm system which signals five or more false alarms within a calendar year (January 1 through December 31) shall be deemed to constitute a public nuisance.
Except as otherwise provided in § 168-3, any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall constitute a municipal civil infraction, which shall be punishable by the imposition of a civil fine as provided in § 1-27E of the Code .