§ 6-160. Definitions.

[The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:]

Alarm signal: A detectable signal, either audible or visual, generated by an alarm system being monitored or designed to exteriorly annunciate, requiring the Police or Fire Department to respond.

Alarm system: Any single device or assembly of equipment designed to monitor and/or exteriorly annunciate the occurrence of an illegal entry, robbery or other activity requiring police response or designed to signal the detection of fire, or products of combustion, in a building, structure, or premises, or to signal an actual fire or initiate a response for medical assistance regardless of whether the call for response comes from a monitoring service, the alarm user, a neighbor, or results from a police officer or firefighter hearing the alarm system.

Alarm user: A person, corporation, partnership, proprietorship, association, governmental or education entity or any other entity owing or leasing an alarm system or on whose premises an alarm system is maintained for the protection of such premises.

False alarm:

(1)

Any signal communicated by any means that solicits a response from the police or fire department to which the responding units find no evidence of fire or products of combustion or medical emergency or no evidence of unauthorized intrusion, robbery, or other such crime in or on premises. False alarms include, but are not limited to:

a.

Error or mistake: Any action by any person, firm or corporation, association, or other entity or agency thereof, owning or operating any dwelling, building or place, which results in the activation of any alarm system when no emergency exists.

b.

Malfunction: Any activation of any alarm system caused by a flaw in the normal operation, design, installation, or maintenance of the system, by faulty equipment, or by a change in the environment or premises upon, or within which, the alarm system is operating.

c.

Intentional misuse: Any activation of an alarm system when no one knows, has reason to know, or should have known no fire or other emergency is in progress.

d.

Failure to notify alarm-monitoring service of testing: Any alarm transmitted to the police or fire department while alarm is being tested by personnel without notifying the alarm service of test results.

(2)

An alarm will not be considered to be a false alarm of it is determined by the officer in charge that the alarm was caused by:

a.

Natural or manmade catastrophe, or an act of God. Such events include, but are not limited to tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, or other similar violent conditions or adverse weather conditions.

b.

The testing of a local/audible alarm system by a licensed alarm business, agent, or employee who is present at the premises servicing, repairing or installing the alarm when the agent or user has contacted the alarm company and informed them of the test.

c.

Activation by other extraordinary circumstances not reasonably subject to control by the alarm user.

(Ord. of 6-6-2005)