§ 89-2. Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

ALARM DEVICE

Any device which, when activated by a criminal act, fire or other emergency calling for Police or Fire Department response, transmits a signal to Police or Fire Department headquarters, transmits a signal to a person who relays information to Police or Fire Department headquarters or produces an audible or visible signal to which the Police or Fire Department is expected to respond. Excluded from this definition and the scope of this chapter are devices which are designated to alert or signal only persons within the premises in which the device is installed and devices which are activated by the release of water from a sprinkler system.

ALARM USER

The owner of any premises on which an alarm device is used, provided that an occupant who expressly accepts responsibility for an alarm device by registration pursuant to § 89-7 shall be deemed the alarm user.

APPROPRIATE ADMINISTRATOR

The employee(s) or agent(s) of the Fire Department or Police Department, or both, who is designated the responsibilities as set forth in this chapter.

AUTOMATIC DIAL ALARM

A telephone device or attachment that mechanically or electrically selects a telephone line to police or fire headquarters and produces a prerecorded voice message to report a criminal act, fire or other emergency calling for Police or Fire Department response. Excluded from this definition are devices which relay a digital-coded signal to police or fire headquarters.

CONTRACTOR

Any firm or corporation in the business of supplying and installing alarm devices or servicing the same.

FALSE ALARM

Any activation of an alarm device to which the Police Department or Fire Department responds and which is not caused by a criminal act, fire or other emergency, except an activation caused by malfunction of telephone company equipment or lines as verified by monitoring facilities at police or fire headquarters or power failure as verified by the administrators. A series of such activations attributable to the same cause and occurring under circumstances beyond the control of the responsible alarm user shall be deemed a single false alarm.

Added 6-3-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-156