Chapter 9.12
ALARM SYSTEMS
Sections:
9.12.020 Telephone numbers of authorized persons – Filing with police department.
9.12.030 False activation of alarms unlawful.
9.12.040 False alarm – Response – Charges.
9.12.050 False alarm – First response.
9.12.060 False alarm – Second response through twentieth response.
9.12.070 Action after a twentieth false alarm.
9.12.080 Repealed.
9.12.090 Repealed.
9.12.100 Alarms covered by this chapter.
9.12.010 Definitions.
A. “Alarm” means any signal (audible, visual, electronic) intended to indicate to the operator at its termination point that a burglary or attempted burglary, robbery or attempted robbery, or fire is occurring on the premises where the alarm system is installed and that the summoning of an emergency response agency is required. In the event of a system that is self-contained on a premises, an alarm is any signal (audible, visual, electronic) intended to indicate to a person noting such signal that an emergency response agency should be notified and summoned to the premises where the signal is located.
B. “Burglar alarm” means any mechanical or electronic system designed and installed for the purposes of detecting unlawful entry or attempted entry into a premises.
C. “False alarm” means the activation of a burglary and/or robbery alarm by other than a forced entry or attempted forced entry to the premises and at a time when no burglary or robbery is being committed or attempted on the premises; or the activation of a fire alarm when there is no fire on or in the premises, whether such alarm is manually activated by the presence of smoke or heat, or activated by the flow of water through a fire-suspension system on the premises.
D. “Fire alarm” means any mechanical or electronic system, however activated, intended to indicate that there is a fire at a premises and that the response of a fire department is required to the premises.
E. “Robbery alarm” means any mechanical or electronic system, however activated, installed to indicate to an operator, at its termination point, that a robbery or attempted robbery is in progress and the emergency response of a law enforcement agency is required at the premises where the robbery or attempted robbery is taking place. (Ord. 676 § 1, 1982).
9.12.020 Telephone numbers of authorized persons – Filing with police department.
It is unlawful to have or maintain on any premises any type of burglary, robbery or fire alarm unless there is on file with the Fife police department a notice of the telephone numbers of at least two persons authorized to enter such premises and turn off such alarm and who can be reached at all times; and it is unlawful for any such person to fail to appear and turn off any such alarm within one hour after being notified by the Fife police department to do so. (Ord. 676 § 2, 1982).
9.12.030 False activation of alarms unlawful.
It is unlawful for anyone to activate any burglary, robbery or fire alarm for the purpose of summoning the police or fire department, except in the event of an actual or attempted robbery or burglary, or actual fire, or for anyone notifying the police or fire departments of an activated alarm and having knowledge that such activation was apparently caused by an electrical or other malfunction of the alarm system to fail at the same time to notify the police or fire department of such apparent malfunction. (Ord. 676 § 3, 1982).
9.12.040 False alarm – Response – Charges.
For an emergency agency response (police or fire) to any false alarm, the chief of police shall collect and remit that information to the finance director-treasurer. The finance director-treasurer shall charge and collect from the person having or maintaining such burglary, robbery or fire alarm on premises owned or occupied by him, fees as set forth in FMC 9.12.060 and 9.12.070. (Ord. 1777 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 1746 § 1 (Exh. A), 2011; Ord. 676 § 4, 1982).
9.12.050 False alarm – First response.
For response by an emergency service agency (police or fire) to premises at which no other false alarm has occurred within the current calendar year, hereinafter referred to as a first response, no fee shall be charged; the person having or maintaining such burglary, robbery or fire alarm shall when requested to by the chief of police, within three working days after notice to do so, make a written report to the chief of police on forms prescribed by him setting forth the cause of such false alarm, the corrective action taken, whether such alarm has been inspected by an authorized service technician, and such other information as the chief of police may reasonably require to determine the cause of such false alarm and corrective action necessary. (Ord. 788 § 1, 1985; Ord. 676 § 5, 1982).
9.12.060 False alarm – Second response through twentieth response.
For a second through twentieth emergency response to a false alarm within the current calendar year, a fee for each response will be charged as set forth in the current fee schedule.
The current fee schedule relating to this section of the Fife Municipal Code is available at Fife City Hall and at the city of Fife’s website: www.cityoffife.org. (Ord. 1783 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 788 § 2, 1985; Ord. 676 § 6, 1982).
9.12.070 Action after a twentieth false alarm.
After a twentieth false alarm within a calendar year, the chief of police may at his discretion disconnect or cause to be disconnected any alarm that terminates in the Fife police department. For alarms that may not be disconnected, for whatever reason, or alarms that do not terminate in the Fife police department, a fee for each false alarm after the twentieth false alarm will be charged as set forth in the current fee schedule.
The current fee schedule relating to this section of the Fife Municipal Code is available at Fife City Hall and at the city of Fife’s website: www.cityoffife.org. (Ord. 1783 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 788 § 3, 1985; Ord. 676 § 7, 1982).
9.12.080 Monitoring fee.
Repealed by Ord. 2000. (Ord. 1783 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 1241 § 1, 1996; Ord. 676 § 8, 1982).
9.12.090 Equipment installation – Termination.
Repealed by Ord. 1777. (Ord. 676 § 9, 1982).
9.12.100 Alarms covered by this chapter.
All alarms and alarm systems installed on a premises for the purpose of summoning an emergency response agency in the event of a burglary or attempted burglary, robbery or attempted robbery or fire are covered by this chapter. This chapter shall apply to all alarms that terminate in the Fife police department communications center and alarms that are self-contained on the premises where the alarm system is installed. (Ord. 1777 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 676 § 10, 1982).
9.12.110 Violation – Penalty.
Any knowing violation of the provisions of this chapter or any knowing failure to comply with the requirements of this chapter shall be a misdemeanor. (Ord. 1777 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 842 § 7, 1986; Ord. 676 § 11, 1982).