Chapter 8.32
SECURITY ALARM SYSTEMS1
Sections:
8.32.020 Use of automatic telephone alarm unlawful.
8.32.030 Directly connected electronic alarm – Means for deactivating.
8.32.040 Audible and visual alarms – Deactivation.
8.32.010 Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
“Audible or visual alarm” means any device situated in the residence or business building which senses or detects potential or threatened burglaries, robberies, uninvited entry, fire or other emergency event, and which causes an audible or visual alarm (such as sirens, bells, whistles, gongs or lights) to be activated upon the premises containing such device.
“Automatic dialing-announcing device” means any automatic telephone equipment which incorporates the following features:
1. a. Storage capability of numbers to be dialed; or
b. A random or sequential number generator that produces numbers to be called; and
c. An ability to dial a call; and
2. Has the capability, working alone or in conjunction with other equipment, of disseminating a prerecorded message to the number called.
“Directly connected electronic alarm” means any device situated in a residence or business building which senses or detects potential or threatened burglaries, robberies, uninvited entry, fire or other events of an emergency nature, and which signals, or directs a signal, directly to the Castle Rock police department, Cowlitz Fire Protection District No. 6, or the Cowlitz County Communications Center, in notification thereof.
“False alarm” means the activation of a device which senses or detects potential or threatened burglaries, robberies, uninvited entry, fire or other emergency events, and there is no reasonable evidence that an attempted burglary, robbery or uninvited entry has occurred nor is there reasonable evidence that the premises containing the device was in danger of fire or other emergency event.
“Indirectly connected electronic alarm” means any device situated in a residence or business building which senses or detects potential or threatened burglaries, robberies, uninvited entry, fire or other emergency event, and which signals or directs a signal to any person, firm or corporation which thereafter notifies the Castle Rock police department, the Cowlitz Fire Protection District No. 6, or the Cowlitz County Communications Center. [Ord. 95-02 § 1, 1995].
8.32.020 Use of automatic telephone alarm unlawful.
It is unlawful for any person to notify the Cowlitz Fire Protection District No. 6, Castle Rock police department or Cowlitz County Communications Center of the existence of a potential burglary, robbery, uninvited entry, fire or other emergency event, or to dial 911 by use of an automatic dialing-announcing device, as defined in this chapter. [Ord. 95-02 § 2, 1995].
8.32.030 Directly connected electronic alarm – Means for deactivating.
A. All persons, firms or corporations maintaining directly connected electronic alarms shall, at all times, provide the Cowlitz County Communications Center a list containing the names, addresses and telephone numbers of not less than two individuals who have keys to the premises containing said alarm and knowledge as to the means and methods for deactivation or resetting thereof, to be called or notified to deactivate or reset said alarm following response by the Castle Rock police department, Cowlitz Fire Protection District No. 6 or other emergency service. Such directly connected electronic alarm shall be deactivated or reset within one hour following a request by the Castle Rock police department, Cowlitz Fire Protection District No. 6, or Cowlitz County Communications Center to do so.
B. In the event that no individual responds to such a request to deactivate or reset such alarm, the Cowlitz County Communications Center may obtain the services of an electrician, security system technician or other knowledgeable person, as well as a locksmith, to obtain access to the premises and to deactivate, reset or disconnect said directly connected electronic alarm, and the cost thereof shall be borne by, billed to, and paid by the owner or occupier of the premises maintaining such alarm within 15 days after the mailing of a statement setting forth such charges. [Ord. 95-02 § 3, 1995].
8.32.040 Audible and visual alarms – Deactivation.
A. All persons, firms or corporations maintaining audible or visual alarms shall provide the Castle Rock police department with a list containing the names, addresses and telephone numbers of not less than two individuals possessing keys to the premises containing such audible or visual alarms, and having knowledge of the means to deactivate or reset said audible or visual alarm. Such audible or visual alarms shall be deactivated or reset within one hour following a request therefor by the Castle Rock police department or the Cowlitz Fire Protection District No. 6.
B. In the event that no individual responds to such a request to deactivate or reset such audible or visual alarm, the Castle Rock police department may obtain the services of an electrician, security system technician or other knowledgeable person, as well as a locksmith, to enter the premises containing such audible or visual alarm, and cause the same to be deactivated, reset or disconnected, and the cost shall be borne by, charged to and paid by the owner or occupant of the premises maintaining such audible or visual alarm. [Ord. 95-02 § 4, 1995].
8.32.050 False alarms – Corrective measures required – Penalties, disconnection of alarm device – Discontinuance of response.
A. In the event of the occurrence of a false alarm, the Cowlitz Fire Protection District No. 6 or Castle Rock police department, whichever has responded thereto, shall, in writing, notify the owner or occupier of the premises to which such response was made within five days thereafter, advising such owner or occupier that response was made to a false alarm.
B. In the event of a second occurrence of a false alarm within any period of six calendar months following a previous false alarm, the Castle Rock police department or Cowlitz Fire Protection District No. 6, whichever has responded thereto, shall notify the owner or occupant of the premises from which such false alarm originated, of the fact of such false alarm, and shall further notify the owner or occupant that the device which signals such alarm may be defective and must be inspected. A report of such inspection and any corrective action taken to avoid further false alarms shall be made by the owner or occupier to the Castle Rock police department or the Cowlitz Fire Protection District No. 6, whichever has required the report of inspection, within 10 days thereafter. Said report of inspection shall be delivered personally or mailed by certified mail to the Castle Rock police chief or Cowlitz Fire Protection District No. 6 fire chief, whichever is appropriate.
C. In the event of a third occurrence of a false alarm within any period of six months following two previous false alarms in the same six-month period, the owner or occupier of the premises shall be charged a false alarm response fee of $50.00, and the written report as to the condition of the device signalling the false alarm shall be required as in subsection (B) of this section. In addition, the Castle Rock police department shall be authorized to inspect said device and prescribe corrective action to be taken to avoid further false alarms.
D. For the fourth and all subsequent false alarms within the same six-month period, a fee of $100.00 each shall be charged and collected from the owner or occupier of the premises.
E. In the event that payment of any statements rendered to owners or occupiers for false alarm response fees shall not be paid within 30 days, the Castle Rock police department and Cowlitz Fire Protection District No. 6 may decline further responses to alarms originating from such premises. [Ord. 95-02 § 5, 1995].
Code reviser’s note: During the 2009 recodification, references to the Castle Rock fire department were changed to the Cowlitz Fire Protection District No. 6.