CHAPTER 8
BURGLAR AND FIRE ALARMS
Sections:
3-8-101 Definitions.
3-8-102 Permit to Install and Operate Fire or Burglar Alarm.
3-8-103 Burglar and Fire Alarm Notification to the City.
3-8-104 False Alarms from Burglar Alarms.
3-8-105 False Alarms from Fire Alarms.
3-8-106 Criminal Penalty.
3-8-101 Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
(1) “Alarm User” means the owner or occupant of any premises where a burglar alarm or fire alarm is installed.
(2) “Burglar Alarm” means any mechanical, electric or electronic device or system which is intended to notify the alarm user, an alarm operating or monitoring service, the police department, or any other person of possible criminal activities.
(3) “False Alarm” means (a) an alarm received from or through a burglar alarm which is responded to by a police officer in relation to which there is not substantial evidence of criminal activity, or (b) an alarm received from or through a fire alarm which is responded to by the fire department in relation to which there is no fire. A false alarm includes alarms given because of alarm device or system failures and alarms given because of human error. A false alarm does not include alarms given because of electric power failures or construction or repair activities of the City or any public utility.
(4) “Fire” means burning or combustion as commonly understood. Fire includes the existence of danger and the need for an emergency response by the fire department because of burning or combustion, including circumstances creating the reasonable belief that a fire exists or will shortly exist.
(5) “Fire Alarm” means any mechanical, electric or electronic device or system which is intended to notify the alarm user, an alarm operating or monitoring service, the fire department, or any other person of a fire.
(Adopted by Ordinance No. 20-95)
3-8-102 Permit to Install and Operate Fire or Burglar Alarm
(1) All residents or businesses within the City requesting burglar or fire alarm service must receive a City permit to install and activate any burglar or fire alarm system.
Applications for permits shall be obtained and filed at the City Offices.
(2) Fire Alarms must meet the following standard which is adopted by reference. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 72, Fire Alarm Systems.
(3) Burglar Alarms systems installed in a residence and alarm operating or monitoring services must be UL approved.
(4) An alarm permit fee shall be set by the City Council.
(Adopted by Ordinance No. 21-98)
3-8-103 Burglar and Fire Alarm Notification to the City.
Burglar and fire alarms shall be received by the City in one of the following ways: (1) Alarms may be monitored by an alarm operating or monitoring service and forwarded to the City by the alarm operating or monitoring service.
(2) Alarms may be audible alarms mounted on the property of the alarm user, intended to notify passers-by of the alarm. Audible burglar alarms shall be required to have an automatic reset to limit the audible alarm to no more than twenty (20) minutes of alarm sound before re-polling the system to see if the alarm has reset. If the alarm resets the alarm sound shall cease.
(3) Burglar and fire alarms shall not be received directly at or by the police or fire department by auto-dial telephone recorded messages or similar system.
(Adopted by Ordinance No. 21-98)
3-8-104 False Alarms from Burglar Alarms.
(1) If police officers respond to more than five (5) false alarms from a burglar alarm at one location within a quarter of a calendar year (January – March; April – June; July – September; October – December), the Chief of Police may require the alarm user to show cause (related to the safety of City police officers or residents of the City) why the burglar alarm at that location should not be disconnected or disabled. The Chief of Police may order that the burglar alarm be disconnected or disabled if the alarm user does not show reasonably sufficient cause why such action should not be taken.
(2) An alarm user shall pay to the City Treasurer a fee of $100.00 for each time more than twice in a quarter of a calendar year that a City police officer responds to a false alarm from a burglar alarm at the premises of the alarm user. The Chief of Police may require an alarm user to show cause why the burglar alarm of that alarm user should not be disconnected or disabled for failure to pay the fees provided in this subsection. The Chief of Police may order that the burglar alarm be disconnected or disabled if the alarm user does not show reasonably sufficient cause why such action should not be taken.
(3) For good cause (related to the safety of City police officers or residents of the City, the Chief of Police may allow reinstatement of a burglar alarm which has been disconnected pursuant to this section.
(Adopted by Ordinance No. 20-95, amended by Ordinances No. 21-98 and 19-01)
3-8-105 False Alarms from Fire Alarms.
(1) If the City fire department responds to more than four (4) false alarms from a fire alarm at one location in one calendar year, the Fire Chief may require the alarm user to show cause (related to the safety of City firemen or residents of the City) why the fire alarm at that location should not be disconnected or disabled. The Fire Chief may order that the fire alarm be disconnected or disabled if the alarm user does not show reasonably sufficient cause why such action should not be taken.
(2) An alarm user shall pay to the City Treasurer a fee of $750.00 for each time more than four times in a calendar year that the City fire department responds to a false alarm from a fire alarm at the premises of the alarm user. The Fire Chief may require an alarm user to show cause why the fire alarm of that alarm user should not be disconnected or disabled for failure to pay the fees provided in this subsection. The Fire Chief may order that the fire alarm be disconnected or disabled if the alarm user does not show reasonably sufficient cause why such action should not be taken.
(3) For good cause (related to the safety of City firemen or residents of the City, the Fire Chief may allow reinstatement of a burglar alarm which has been disconnected pursuant to this section.
(Adopted by Ordinance No. 20-95; amended by Ordinance No. 21-98)
3-8-106 Criminal Penalty.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly give a false alarm.
(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to obey an order of the Chief of Police made pursuant to Section 3-8-102(1) or 3-8-102(2) or an order of the Fire Chief made pursuant to Section 3-8-103(1) or 3-8-103(2).
(3) It shall be unlawful for any person to reconnect an alarm which has been disconnected or disabled by order of the Chief of Police or Fire Chief unless such reconnection is with the permission of the Chief of Police or Fire Chief as provided in Section 3-8-102(3) or 3-8-103(3).
(4) Violation of subsection (1) of this section shall be a misdemeanor. A person convicted thereof shall be punished by a fine in an amount not to exceed $1,000, or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(5) Violation of subsections (2) or (3) of this section shall be an infraction. A person convicted thereof shall be punished by a fine in an amount not to exceed $750.00.
(Adopted by Ordinance No. 20-95; amended by Ordinances No. 21-98)