§ 12-22. False alarms.

(a)

[Definitions.] The following words and terms, as used herein, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them, as follows:

Alarm system means a device or system that emits, transmits or relays a signal intended to summon, or that would reasonably be expected to summon, fire or emergency medical services and police services of the city, including, but not limited to local alarm. Alarm system does not include:

(1)

An alarm installed on a vehicle unless installed at a permanent site, or such vehicle is used for habitation;

(2)

An alarm designed to alert only the inhabitants of a premises; nor

(3)

An alarm installed upon the premises occupied by the city.

Alarm user means the person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind which owns, controls or occupies any building, structure, facility or vehicle used for habitation wherein an alarm system is maintained.

False alarm means an alarm signal, eliciting a response by fire department personnel or police within thirty (30) minutes after receipt of the alarm notification when a situation requiring a response by police or the fire department does not in fact exist, but does not include an alarm signal caused by violent conditions of nature, other extraordinary circumstances or third party actions not reasonably subject to control by the alarm business operator or alarm user.

Person means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, organization, or similar entity.

(b)

False alarms. A person or alarm user commits an offense if his alarm system causes false alarms in excess of three (3) per calendar year.

(Ord. No. 99-1-3, 2-1-99)

Editor's note

Ord. No. 99-1-3, adopted Feb. 1, 1999, did not specifically amend this Code; hence its inclusion as § 12-22 was at the discretion of the editor. See the Code Comparative Table.