Cross References — As to buildings and building regulations, ch. 500; as to police department, ch. 200; as to property maintenance code, §500.070.
State Law Reference — Powers to license and regulate,
§94.270, RSMo.
[R.O. 2009 §12-76; Ord. No. 436 §1, 5-12-1981]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this Chapter,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this Section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
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, buildings, 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 buildings,
structure, facility or premises.
An alarm system that automatically dials a specific telephone
number and transmits an emergency message by a recording over regular
telephone lines when actuated.
An alarm system which provides for a special telephone line
that is directly connected to the Police Department and has an outlet
at the Police Department which emits a sound or transmits a signal
or both when activated.
Any activation of an alarm system intentionally or by inadvertence,
negligence or unintentional act to which the City Police Department
responds, including activation caused by the malfunction of the alarm
system, except that the following shall not be considered false alarms:
When the Chief of Police determines that an alarm has been caused
by the malfunction of the indicator at the Police Department;
When the Chief of Police determines that an alarm has been caused
by damage, testing or repair of telephone equipment or lines by the
telephone company, provided that such incidents are promptly reported
to the telephone company;
When an alarm is caused by an attempted and unauthorized or
illegal entry of which there is visible evidence;
When an alarm is followed by a call to the Police Department
canceling the alarm by giving proper information, prior to the arrival
of the Police Department at the source of the alarm;
When the Chief of Police determines that an alarm has been caused
by a malfunction of electrical power beyond the control of the alarm
user.
[R.O. 2009 §12-77; Ord. No. 436 §2(a), 5-12-1981; Ord. No. 1060 §9, 2-24-2004]
A.
All
false alarms to which the Police Department responds shall result
in the following charge to the alarm user:
1.
A warning for the first (1st) false alarm in any calendar year;
2.
A twenty dollar ($20.00) service charge for the second (2nd) false
alarm in any calendar year;
3.
A twenty-five dollar ($25.00) service charge for the third (3rd)
false alarm in any calendar year;
4.
A thirty dollar ($30.00) service charge for the fourth (4th) false
alarm in any calendar year;
5.
For the fifth (5th) and subsequent false alarms in any calendar year,
the penalty shall be a fifty dollar ($50.00) service charge.
[R.O. 2009 §12-78; Ord. No. 436 §2, 5-12-1981]
A.
Upon
determination by the Police Department that a false alarm has occurred,
the Police Department shall send a notice to the alarm user notifying
the alarm user of the determination and directing payment within ten
(10) days of any service charge that may be due.
B.
The Police Department 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 610.010 hereof.
C.
Refusal
to pay any such service charge within ten (10) days of such notice
shall constitute a violation of this Section.
[R.O. 2009 §12-79; Ord. No. 436 §3, 5-12-1981]
No person shall install or use an automatic dialing device which
is programmed to dial any telephone number of any public or quasi-public
body, including 911, for the purpose of obtaining emergency service.
Within ninety (90) days from the effective date of this ordinance
from which this Section was derived, all automatic dialing devices
programmed to dial 911 or any other emergency telephone number shall
be reprogrammed to dial any consenting person who may relay the emergency
message to the Police Department by live voice. The alarm user of
such device shall be responsible for having his/her alarm system reprogrammed
within the ninety (90) day time period.
[R.O. 2009 §12-80; Ord. No. 436 §4, 5-12-1981]
A.
No
person shall install or use an audible alarm which is equipped with
an exterior sound-producing device such as a gong, buzzer, siren,
bell or horn unless the same shall be equipped with a fifteen (15)
minute timer.
B.
Within
ninety (90) days from the effective date of this ordinance from which
this Section was derived, any alarm user having an audible alarm shall
be responsible for equipping it with a fifteen (15) minute timer.
[R.O. 2009 §12-81; Ord. No. 436 §5, 5-12-1981]
Any person who maintains, sells, leases, services, repairs,
alters, replaces, moves or installs any alarm system or causes the
same to be sold, leased, maintained, serviced, repaired, altered,
replaced, moved or installed in or on any building, structure, facility
or premises shall be properly licensed under ordinances of St. Louis
County as the same pertains to the licensing and regulation for the
installation of and use of alarm systems.
[R.O. 2009 §12-82; Ord. No. 436 §6, 5-12-1981]
Any alarm user shall register such alarm system with the Police
Department of the City within one (1) week after installation. No
charge for any false alarm shall be made during the first (1st) two
(2) weeks after the registration of the alarm.
