Chapter 8.10
FALSE ALARMS
Sections:
8.10.020 Deactivation of alarm system.
8.10.040 No-response status notification letter.
8.10.010 Definition.
A “false alarm” shall mean the activation of an alarm by other than a forced entry or attempted forced entry to the premises and at a time when no burglary or robbery or other criminal act is being committed or attempted on the premises. [Ord. 295 § 1, 1999]
8.10.020 Deactivation of alarm system.
Owners of premises on which an alarm system is installed shall:
(1) Post at the main entrance to such premises, or on a contact card on file in the King County sheriff’s office communications center, a notice of the telephone number(s) at which the person(s) authorized to enter such premises can be reached to turn off any such alarm;
(2) Appear and turn off any such alarm within one hour after being notified by the police to do so;
(3) Not activate any robbery or burglary alarm for the purpose of summoning police except in the event of an actual or attempted burglary, robbery or other criminal act; or
(4) Notify the police if they are aware that an activated alarm has been caused by an electrical or other malfunction of the alarm system. [Ord. 295 § 2, 1999]
8.10.030 Fine.
The first false alarm within a calendar month will not carry a charge. A $50.00 fine will be assessed for a second false alarm within a calendar month. A $100.00 fine will be assessed for the third false alarm, and every successive one thereafter, within a calendar month. [Ord. 295 § 3, 1999]
8.10.040 No-response status notification letter.
In the event there are four or more false alarms within a six-month period, a false alarm no-response status notification letter will be mailed to the owner(s) of the premises, alarm companies and the communications center. This letter states that 10 days after the date that the notification letter was mailed to the owner(s) of the premises and alarm company, if any, the King County sheriff’s office will no longer be responding to automatic alarms at their residence. This does not apply to burglary/panic alarms or medical alerts. A warning letter will be sent out after the third false automatic alarm. [Ord. 295 § 4, 1999]
8.10.050 Cancellation.
Alarm responses that are cancelled before the arrival of dispatched deputies will not be counted as a false alarm for purposes of this chapter and penalties or imposing no-response status. [Ord. 295 § 5, 1999]
8.10.060 Citation – Payment.
The King County sheriff’s office will send out the citations with a copy to the town. Payments will be mailed to the town of Beaux Arts Village. All payments shall be made within 30 days. [Ord. 295 § 6, 1999]
8.10.070 Appeal process.
A person assessed a penalty for a false alarm may appeal the assessment to the town council by filing a written request for a hearing setting forth the reasons for the appeal within 10 days after receipt of notice of fine. The filing of a request for an appeal hearing stays the assessment of the fine until a final decision is made by the town council at a regularly scheduled meeting. [Ord. 295 § 7, 1999]