[Ord. No. 1161 §1, 4-11-2002]
This Chapter shall be known and cited as the "Alarm Systems
Regulations".
[Ord. No. 1161 §2, 4-11-2002]
As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall have these
prescribed meanings:
Any mechanical or electrical device which is designed to
be actuated manually or automatically upon the detection of an unauthorized
entry, intrusion, or other emergency in or on any building, structure,
facility or premises through the emission of a sound or transmission
of a signal or message.
A person who uses an alarm system to protect any building,
structure, facility or premises.
An alarm system equipped with an exterior sound-producing
device such as a gong, buzzer, siren, bell or horn.
An alarm system which automatically dials a specific telephone
number and transmits an emergency message by recording over regular
telephone lines when actuated.
The Police Chief or his/her delegate of the Edmundson Police
Department.
The City of Edmundson.
An alarm system which provides for a special telephone line
that is directly connected to the Police Department and has an outlet
at the department which emits a sound or transmits a signal, or both,
when actuated.
An activation of an alarm system intentionally or by inadvertence,
negligence or unintentional act to which City personnel respond, including
activation caused by malfunction of the alarm system, except that
the following circumstances shall not be considered false alarms:
When the Chief or his/her deputy determines that an alarm has
been caused by damage, testing or repair of telephone equipment or
liens by a telephone company, provided that such incidents are promptly
reported by the company which caused them.
When an alarm is caused by an attempted and unauthorized or
illegal entry of which there is visible evidence.
When an alarm is intentionally caused by a person at the premises
acting under a reasonable belief that a need for calling emergency
or police personnel.
When an alarm is followed by notice to the City canceling the
alarm by giving proper information, prior to the arrival of emergency
personnel at the source of the alarm.
When the alarm is caused by an act of God, such as earthquake,
flood, windstorm, thunder or lightning.
[Ord. No. 1161 §3, 4-11-2002; Ord. No. 1450 §1, 7-9-2015]
A.
All false alarms to which the City responds shall result in the following
service charges by the City to the alarm user:
1.
Commercial property:
a.
Upon the first (1st) false alarm notification within a calendar
year, a service fee of thirty dollars ($30.00) will be assessed to
the alarm subscriber.
b.
Upon the second (2nd) false alarm notification within the same
calendar year, a service fee of forty dollars ($40.00) will be assessed
to the alarm subscriber.
c.
Upon the third (3rd) false alarm notification within the same
calendar year, a service fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall be assessed
to the alarm subscriber.
d.
Upon all false alarm notifications during the same calendar
year thereafter, a service fee of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) shall
be assessed to the alarm subscriber.
e.
False alarm counts shall revert to zero on the first day of
each calendar year.
2.
Residential property:
a.
Upon the first (1st), second (2nd), third (3rd) and fourth (4th)
false alarm notification within a calendar year, there shall be no
charge, but the police department shall keep a count of these false
alarm notifications within the calendar year.
b.
Upon the fifth (5th) false alarm notification within the same
calendar year, a service fee of ten dollars ($10.00) will be assessed
to the alarm subscriber.
c.
Upon the sixth (6th) false alarm notification within the same
calendar year, a service fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) shall be
assessed to the alarm subscriber.
d.
Upon all false alarm notifications during the same calendar
year thereafter, a service fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be
assessed to the alarm subscriber.
e.
False alarm counts shall revert to zero on the first day of
each calendar year.
B.
Upon determination by the City that a false alarm has occurred, the
City shall send a notice to the alarm user notifying the alarm user
of the determination and directing the payment within ten (10) days
of any service charge that may be due.
C.
The City shall cancel any notice or service charge upon satisfactory proof by the alarm user that a particular alarm falls within the exceptions enumerated in Section 203.020 above.
D.
The service fees described in this Section shall be paid to the City
within ten (10) days of the notification to the subscriber. A late
fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be added for each month
that the service fee is delinquent. In addition, refusal to pay such
a service charge within ten (10) days of such notice shall constitute
a violation of this Section.
[Ord. No. 1161 §4, 4-11-2002]
[Ord. No. 1161 §6, 4-11-2002]
Any person, corporation, partnership or other legal entity who
shall fail to pay the service charges for false alarms or who otherwise
violates any provision of this Chapter shall be guilty of an ordinance
violation and be punished in accordance with the sentencing provisions
of the Code of the City of Edmundson. Each day that a violation exists
or continues to exist shall be deemed a separate offense.
