Chapter 5.60
SECURITY ALARM SYSTEMS
Sections:
5.60.030 Permits required—Fees—Exemptions.
5.60.010 Purpose and scope.
(1) The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum standards and regulations applicable to alarm systems including those systems utilizing automatic dialing devices, and to encourage alarm users, as well as alarm businesses, to assume increased responsibility for maintaining the mechanical reliability and the proper use of alarm systems to prevent unnecessary emergency response to false alarms and thereby to protect the emergency response capability of the city.
(2) This chapter governs burglary, robbery and panic alarm systems, requires city permits, provides for penalty assessments for excessive false alarms, provides for penalty assessments for delinquent accounts, provides for discontinuation of police response to alarms and revocation of alarm permits, provides for punishment of violators, and establishes a system of administration.
History: Ord. 1443 §§1, 2, 2014.
5.60.020 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter:
(1) “Alarm coordinator” means the individual designated by the chief of police to issue permits and enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(2) “Alarm permit” refers to the official document that is issued by the Gladstone Police Department to users of alarm systems within the city limits.
(3) “Alarm system” means any assembly of equipment, mechanical or electrical, including a system interconnected with radio frequency signals, designed to signal the occurrence of an illegal entry, emergency, or other activity, by emitting or transmitting a remote or local audible, visual or electronic signal, requesting emergency services personnel response. An alarm system does not include an alarm installed on a motor vehicle or an alarm that is carried as a personal protection device on an individual’s body.
(4) “Alarm user” means the person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind which owns, controls or occupies any building, structure or facility wherein an alarm system is maintained.
(5) “Burglar alarm system” means an alarm system signaling an entry or attempted entry into an area protected by the system.
(6) “False alarm” means an alarm signal that elicits a response by emergency services personnel when a situation requiring such a response does not in fact exist, but does not include an alarm signal caused by violent conditions of nature or other extraordinary means not reasonably subject to control by the alarm business, operator, or alarm user.
(7) “Robbery alarm system” means an alarm system transmitting a silent robbery signal from a business location or a panic/duress signal from a residential location.
History: Ord. 1443 §§1, 2, 2014.
5.60.030 Permits required—Fees—Exemptions.
(1) Every alarm user, including those connected through an alarm center, must obtain a City of Gladstone alarm permit from the alarm coordinator for each alarm system prior to use of an alarm system. Applications for an alarm permit must be filed with the alarm coordinator and must be accompanied by the required fee, which shall be set by the City Council by resolution. Each permit shall be valid for one year from the date of issue.
(2) A late penalty shall be assessed in addition to the alarm permit fee to an alarm user who fails to obtain an alarm permit within 30 days of when the system becomes operative, or to a user who fails to renew a permit within 30 days after the permit expires.
(3) Alarm permits will be issued for a specified location and may not be transferred to another person or location.
History: Ord. 1443 §§1, 2, 2014.
5.60.040 False alarms.
For each false alarm over one in a permit year, the permit holder must pay a fee as established by City Council.
History: Ord. 1443 §§1, 2, 2014.
5.60.050 Permit revocation.
(1) Any alarm system which has seven or more false alarms during any permit year shall be subject to permit revocation.
(2) Before revoking any permit, the police chief will give 10 days’ written notice to allow the permit holder an opportunity to correct the system and submit proof thereof.
History: Ord. 1443 §§1, 2, 2014.
5.60.060 Violation penalties.
(1) Fines will be assessed by the alarm coordinator for excessive false alarms as follows:
|
Within permit year: |
Fine per violation, not to exceed: |
|---|---|
|
2 |
$50.00 |
|
3 |
$100.00 |
|
4 or more |
$150.00 |
(2) Violation of any other provision of this chapter shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00.
History: Ord. 1443 §§1, 2, 2014.