Chapter 7.66
BURGLARY AND ROBBERY ALARMS
Sections:
7.66.010 Definitions.
7.66.020 Alarm system registration and fees.
7.66.030 Service charges and permitted police response to alarm systems previously registering false alarms.
7.66.040 Audible alarm system requirements.
7.66.050 Exemptions.
7.66.060 Appeal to city council.
7.66.070 Repealed by Ordinance 1864 § 5, 3-11-91.
7.66.010 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the words hereinafter defined are used as so defined unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended.
(1) Alarm System. "Alarm system" means any device, whether known as a burglary, robbery or intrusion alarm, direct dial telephone device, audible or silent alarm or by any other name, which is used for the detection of, an unauthorized entry into a building, structure or facility, or to signal the commission of an unlawful felony. It shall include those devices which emit a signal within the protected premises only, are supervised by the proprietor of the premises where located, and are otherwise known as "proprietary alarm system." Auxiliary devices installed by a telephone company to protect telephone company systems which might be damaged or disrupted by the use of an alarm system are not included in this definition.
(2) Alarm Owner. "Alarm owner" means the person who owns, leases, rents, uses or makes available for use by his agents, employees, representatives or family, any alarm system.
(3) False Alarm. "False alarm" means an alarm signal activated by causes other than the commission or attempted commission of an unlawful act which the alarm system is designed to detect. An alarm signal activated by violent conditions of nature or other extraordinary circumstances not subject to the control of the alarm owner shall not constitute a false alarm.
(4) Audible Alarm. "Audible alarm" means a device designed to notify persons in the immediate vicinity of the unauthorized entry on the premises or of the commission of an unlawful act.
(5) Direct Dial Telephone Device or Direct Dial Device. "Direct dial telephone device" or "Direct dial device" means a device which is connected to a telephone line and upon activation of an alarm system, automatically dials a predetermined telephone number and transmits a message or signal indicating a need for emergency response.
(6) Nonresponse Status. "Nonresponse status" means that status which is assigned a particular alarm system by the police department of the city of South Gate as a result of and pursuant to the rules established by this chapter permitting suspension or revocation which status shall mean that the police department shall be relieved of its obligation to respond to such alarm system.
(Ord. 1566 § 1 (part), 6-13-83)
7.66.020 Alarm system registration and fees.
(1) Registration Requirements. Every alarm owner in the city of South Gate shall register his alarm system with the chief of police of the city of South Gate which registration shall provide such information as is deemed appropriate by the chief of police, including, but not limited to, the names and telephone numbers of persons to be notified who can render repairs or service to the alarm system during any hour of the day or night, and which registration shall further include the consent of the alarm owner to be bound by the terms of this chapter, and such rules and regulations of the chief of police that are promulgated in accordance herewith, including, but not limited to, agreement by alarm owner to the payment of the service charges and penalties hereinbelow imposed. (Ord. 1812 9 1, 5-8-89)
(2) Fee for Registration. There is hereby imposed a registration fee, in an amount established by resolution of the city council, which fee shall become due and payable not later than two weeks after the installation of an alarm system. This registration fee shall not apply to any alarm system which was previously installed and registered pursuant to Section 7.66.020(1) prior to the adoption of said registration fee. AH public agencies which provide primary response to the alarm system shall be exempt from the provisions of this subsection. (Ord. 1864 9 1, 3-11-91).
(3) Annual Permits for Business Alarm Owners. Repealed by Ordinance 1812 9 3, 5-8-89.
(4) Change in Alarm System. At any time there is a change in the alarm registration information, or a change in the owner, operator, repair technician, operation or location of the alarm system, every alarm owner shall, within fifteen days after such change occurs, provide the new information to the chief of police on such form as may be provided for that purpose. No additional registration fee shall be imposed for changes to alarm registration information required by this subsection. (Ord. 1864 § 2, 3-11-91).
(5) Penalty for Non-Registration. A penalty in an amount established by resolution of the city council shall be imposed upon any alarm owner who fails to register an alarm system in violation of the provisions of subsection (2) of Section 7.66.020 after having received written notification of the alarm system registration requirements.
(Ord. 1864 § 3, 3-11-91; Ord. 1812 §§ 1--4, 5-8-89; Ord. 1566 § 1 (part), 6-13-83)
7.66.030 Service charges and permitted police response to alarm systems previously registering false alarms.
(1) Service Charge for False Alarms. A service charge in an amount established by resolution of the city council shall be imposed on the alarm owner for each false alarm after the third false alarm up to and including the seventh false alarm in any twelve-month period. Said service charge shall be due and payable within thirty days after billing. The chief of police may, in the exercise of sound discretion and without liability for so doing, place an alarm system on a "nonresponse" status where such alarm system has signalled more than three false alarms in any twelve-month period, or where the alarm owner has failed to pay any service charge and related late payment charge imposed for a false alarm within thirty days after billing. The chief of police may terminate said "nonresponse" status based upon convincing evidence that the alarm owner has corrected all problems relating to the alarm system and has paid all fees and charges due hereunder.
(2) More than Seven False Alarms. A service charge in an amount established by resolution of the city council shall be imposed on the alarm owner for any alarm system which has signalled more than seven false alarms in any twelve-month period.
(3) Late Payment. Failure to make full and timely payment of any service charge imposed pursuant to this chapter shall result in a late payment charge, in an amount established by resolution of the city council.
(Ord. 1864 § 4, 3-11-91: Ord. 1812 § 5, 5-8-89: Ord. 1566 § 1 (part), 6-13-83)
7.66.040 Audible alarm system requirements.
(1) Repair Agreement. Every person who maintains or owns an audible alarm system shall maintain during all times that the audible alarm system is operative, a repair and maintenance agreement that will permit repairs or service to the system to be effectuated during any hour of the day or night. Said agreement shall further provide that the police department of the city of South Gate shall have the authority to request repairs or maintenance be made to said system, the cost of which shall be charged to the alarm owner. It shall be the responsibility of the alarm owner, prior to use of the alarm system in the city of South Gate, to provide the police department with the name and telephone number of the person or persons to be notified under this agreement.
(2) Right to Require Repair. The chief of police of the city of South Gate police department is authorized to effectuate repairs or maintenance to any audible alarm system operated in the city of South Gate which is or has generated a false audible alarm, the cost of which repair or maintenance is chargeable to the alarm owner.
(3) Automatic Termination or Resetting. Any audible alarm system operated in the city of South Gate shall have, as one of its features, the automatic termination or resetting of its audible alarm signal within thirty minutes of its being activated.
(Ord. 1566 § 1 (part), 6-13-83)
7.66.050 Exemptions.
The provisions of this chapter are not applicable to audible alarms affixed to motor vehicles or to a public telephone utility whose only duty is to furnish telephone service pursuant to tariffs on file with the California Public Utilities Commission.
(Ord. 1566 § 1 (part), 6-13-83)
7.66.060 Appeal to city council.
In the event that an alarm owner is placed on a nonresponse status or is threatened to be placed on a non-response status, said alarm owner may appeal to the city council of the city of South Gate by filing with the city clerk a statement, addressed to the city council, setting forth the facts and circumstances regarding the alarm system, the false alarms, proof of repair or any other such relevant action deemed appropriate to place said alarm system back on active, response status.
The city clerk shall cause the appeal to be placed on the next regularly scheduled city council agenda and notify the appellant. The city council shall consider the appeal and may affirm, overrule, or modify the decision of the police department. The decision of the city council shall be final.
(Ord. 1566 § 1 (part), 6-13-83)