Chapter 9.70
PATROL SERVICE*
Sections:
9.70.030 Permit – Application.
9.70.070 Uniform Specifications.
* For statutory provisions on local regulation of street patrol service, see Business and Professions Code § 7523.
9.70.010 Definitions.
A. “Police patrol service” or “night watch service” means, for the purpose of this title, the going from house to house, or from property to property or along or on the public way adjacent to the house or property by one or more persons, at more or less regular intervals in the daytime or at night, with the ostensible purpose of watching the property or the house or building thereon to protect any interest of the owner or occupant of the same.
B. The word “operator,” for the purpose of this chapter, means any person engaged in going from property to property or from building to building or along or on the public street, alley or other public way near the buildings or properties for the ostensible purpose set forth in subsection (A) of this section. (Ord. 90-5 § 1 (Exh. A), 1990; Ord. 88-2 § 3 (Exh. C), 1988).
9.70.020 Permit – Required.
It is unlawful for any person to conduct or operate a police patrol service or night watchman service in this City without first obtaining a permit to do so. (Ord. 90-5 § 1 (Exh. A), 1990; Ord. 88-2 § 3 (Exh. C), 1988).
9.70.030 Permit – Application.
Each person desiring to conduct or operate in the City a police patrol service or night watchman service, except as set forth in this chapter, shall first make application to the City Council for a permit. Blank forms for the application, approved by the City Council, may be obtained from the Chief of Police and, when filled out, shall be filed in the office of the Chief of Police. The application shall set forth the name and present address of all patrol and watch personnel; their last two previous addresses; their business or occupation for the last three years immediately preceding the application; the person for whom the applicant is working; his height, weight, color eyes and hair, plainly discernible photograph; fingerprints of both hands; and such other identification and information as the City Council may from time to time by resolution require, which shall be of a nature which will indicate the applicant’s honesty, integrity, trustworthiness, education, experience and ability in the type of work for which the permit is requested. (Ord. 90-5 § 1 (Exh. A), 1990; Ord. 88-2 § 3 (Exh. C), 1988).
9.70.040 Permit – Issuance.
No permit shall be issued on any application until 10 days after the filing thereof, or such other further reasonable time as may be necessary for the City Council to make such investigation, which will indicate the applicant’s honesty, integrity, trustworthiness, education, experience and ability in the type of work for which the permit is requested, as it may deem necessary. (Ord. 90-5 § 1 (Exh. A), 1990; Ord. 88-2 § 3 (Exh. C), 1988).
9.70.050 Permit – Conditions.
Any permit for a private patrol system provided for in this chapter shall be issued upon the following terms and conditions:
A. Such private patrol system shall be operated and conducted subject to the general supervision of the Chief of Police;
B. The holder of such permit will require each private patrol watch personnel employed, or in the event the holder of a permit acts in the capacity of a watchperson, to:
1. Report by telephone to such places and at such intervals as the Chief of Police may require;
2. Aid, assist, and cooperate with the Police Department of this City in the detention or apprehension of persons suspected of violating the law. (Ord. 90-5 § 1 (Exh. A), 1990; Ord. 88-2 § 3 (Exh. C), 1988).
9.70.060 Permit – Bond.
If the Chief of Police shall recommend issuance of a permit to the applicant, the applicant shall present the application to the City Clerk, together with a bond by a good, sufficient and reliable surety satisfactory to the City Council in the amount of $5,000 for each operator, which bond shall inure to the benefit of any person, firm or corporation who may suffer loss or damage from any operator. Thereupon, the City Clerk shall submit the application, together with the bond, to the City Council which shall decide whether the public interest or convenience does require the issuance of the permit; the City Clerk shall be directed to issue a permit for such period of time as the City Council may fix, not to exceed one year. (Ord. 90-5 § 1 (Exh. A), 1990; Ord. 88-2 § 3 (Exh. C), 1988).
9.70.070 Uniform Specifications.
It shall be necessary that each operator wear a distinctive uniform and badge that is a different color from and does not resemble the City Police Department uniform or badge. The operator shall then file with the Police Department the address of each property which the operator is watching or patrolling, together with the name and address of the person, firm or corporation employing the operator for that purpose. (Ord. 90-5 § 1 (Exh. A), 1990; Ord. 88-2 § 3 (Exh. C), 1988).
9.70.080 Exclusions.
Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to apply to any person, firm or corporation engaged in watching or caring for any one particular building or property, or to any private detective (who is licensed by the State of California, and carries proper credentials for means of identification) doing private investigation work, other than private police patrol service, for any private person, firm or corporation. (Ord. 90-5 § 1 (Exh. A), 1990; Ord. 88-2 § 3 (Exh. C), 1988).