[Ord. No. 2304, § I, 12-12-2006(2)]
It is hereby found:
(1)
That the Willimantic Police Department responds to an unreasonable
number of alarms which prove to be false alarms, in that the alarm
sounded or transmitted a signal for reasons not related to security
but because of defects in the alarm system or the alarm device, or
its installation and other technical matters related to the triggers
for these alarms;
(2)
That in responding to these alarms the department incurs time and
expense that is unnecessary;
(3)
That, the loss of the time of officers in responding to these false
alarms takes time away from the officers' and the departments' ability
to respond to other crimes and attend to other matters of public safety;
(4)
That, it is in the interest of the Town of Windham that persons and
businesses who install alarm systems do so in a workmanlike manner
and be sure they are used effectively;
(5)
That, it is in the interest of Town of Windham to reduce or eliminate
the hazard to the general public and the members of the public during
and the Police Department when responding to false alarms.
[Ord. No. 2304, § II, 12-12-2006(2)]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any device or instrument, or any series or system of devices
or instruments, which, when activated by a criminal act or other emergency,
is meant to or which does call for police response and (a) transmits
a signal to police headquarters or (b) transmits a signal to a person
or business who relays, either in person, electronically or by other
means, to police headquarters, or (c) produces or generates an audible
or visual signal to which the Police Department is expected to respond.
The owner or the occupant of any premises in which an alarm
device is being used on the effective date of this article.
The activation of an alarm device or system through mechanical
failure, malfunction, improper installation, or the negligence of
the owner or occupant of an alarm system or of such owner's or occupants'
officers, agents or employees. Specifically excluded are alarm activations
by reasons of acts of nature, such as lightning, hurricanes, tornadoes
or other infrequent violent weather conditions.
Any person who is a tenant or lessee of any premises, and
any other person occupying premises.
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company or other organization or entity, but shall not include the
Town of Windham or the Willimantic Service District.
[Ord. No. 2304, § III, 12-12-2006(2)]
(1)
Any person who installs an alarm device within the Willimantic Service
District shall register with the Willimantic Police Department prior
to activating the alarm device.
(2)
Any alarm user shall register with the Willimantic Police Department
within 90 days of the effective date of this article.
(3)
Registration shall be made upon a form supplied by the Willimantic
Police Department and contain information including the following:
(a)
The address and location of the property, including its unit number;
(b)
The name of the owner of the premises;
(c)
The name of the occupant of the premises if different from the owner,
except that if the occupant is a hospital, elderly care facility or
home, or similar business, then the name(s) of the manager of the
said premises;
(d)
The name, address and telephone number(s) of any person holding a
key or other means of access to the premises; and
(e)
The make and type of alarm system.
(4)
Any person having an alarm device which is connected to the first
chief's switchboard association is exempt from the registration requirement
of this article.
(5)
The fee for registration shall be $25, payable at the time of the
registration to the Willimantic Service District.
[Ord. No. 2304, § IV, 12-12-2006(2)]
No person shall own, use, operate or maintain an alarm device
which produces a false alarm.
[Ord. No. 2304, § V, 12-12-2006(2)]
[Ord. No. 2304, § VI, 12-12-2006(2)]
Any person aggrieved by any fine imposed hereunder may appeal
to the Chief of Police or designee within 15 days. Said chief or designee's
decision on the appeal shall be final.
