9.14.095 False alarms.
A. Definition. For the purposes of this section, the term “false alarm” means the activation of a burglary and/or robbery alarm by other than forced entry or attempted forced entry to the premises at a time when no burglary or robbery is being committed or attempted on the premises.
B. Reporting Requirements and Fees. For a police response to any false alarm, the chief of police shall charge and collect from the person having or maintaining such burglary and/or robbery alarm on premises owned or operated by him fees as follows:
1. For a response to premises at which no other false alarm has occurred within the preceding six-month period, hereinafter referred to as “first response,” no fee shall be charged, but the person having or maintaining such burglary and/or robbery alarm shall, within three working days after notice to do so, make a written report to the chief of police or his designee, 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 serviceman, and such other information as the chief of police or his designee may reasonably require to determine the cause of such false alarm and corrective action necessary.
2. For a second response to premises within six months after a first response, no fee shall be charged, but a written report shall be required as for a first response and the chief of police or his designee shall be authorized to inspect or cause to be inspected the alarm system at such premises, prescribe necessary corrective action, and shall give notice to the person having or maintaining such alarm system of the conditions and requirements of this section.
3. For a third response to premises within six months after a first response, the chief of police or his designee shall be authorized to inspect or cause to be inspected the alarm system at such premises, prescribe necessary corrective action, and shall give notice to the person having or maintaining such alarm system of the conditions and requirements of this section.
4. For a fourth response to premises within six months of the first response, a fee shall be charged as established by the city council by periodic resolution. For each false alarm in excess of four within six months of the first response, a fee shall be charged as established by the city council by periodic resolution. If such fourth false alarm or any such succeeding false alarm is a result of failure to take necessary corrective action described by the chief of police or his designee, the chief of police may order the disconnection of such alarm system, and it shall be unlawful to reconnect such alarm system until such corrective action is taken; provided, that no disconnection shall be ordered as to any premises required by law to have an alarm system in operation.
C. Violation – Penalty. The violation of any provisions of this section shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment not to exceed six months, or both such fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 914, 1989; Ord. 855, 1987)