Chapter 8.20
FALSE ALARMS
Sections:
8.20.010 Written report – First false alarm.
8.20.020 Written report – Second false alarm.
8.20.030 Written report and fee – Third and subsequent false alarms.
8.20.050 Payment of penalty fees required.
8.20.005 Definition.
“False alarm” means an alarm signal that alerts police to an emergency when, in fact, no such emergency exists. It does not include an alarm signal caused by violent conditions of nature or other extraordinary circumstances not reasonably subject to control by the alarm user, as may be determined by the Police Department. (Ord. 1421, 2007)
8.20.010 Written report – First false alarm.
For the first false alarm in any six-month period generated at a premises served by an alarm system, no fee shall be charged. The person owning or occupying the premises served by the alarm system shall, within 14 working days after notice to do so, make a written report to the Police Department on forms provided by the Police Department, setting forth the cause of the false alarm, the corrective action taken, and such other information as the Police Department may reasonably require in order to determine the cause of the false alarm and any necessary corrective action. (Ord. 1421, 2007; Ord. 1407 § 1, 2006; Ord. 730 § 1(A), 1984)
8.20.020 Written report – Second false alarm.
For the second false alarm in any six-month period, no fee shall be charged. A written report shall be required of the owner or occupant of the premises served by the alarm system, as in the case of the first false alarm. (Ord. 1421, 2007; Ord. 1407 § 1, 2006; Ord. 730 § 1(B), 1984)
8.20.030 Written report and fee – Third and subsequent false alarms.
For the third and subsequent false alarms during any six-month period, a fee set by the most recently adopted City Fee Code shall be paid by the owner or occupant of the premises generating the false alarm. The Police Department shall notify the City Finance Department, through prescribed form, of the false alarm originator, time and date of the false alarm, and penalty to be levied. The City Finance Department shall bill the offender(s) for immediate payment. (Ord. 1421, 2007; Ord. 1407 § 1, 2006; Ord. 730 § 1(C), 1984)
8.20.040 Appeal of penalty.
Any person against whom a penalty fee has been assessed for excessive false alarms may appeal the imposition of such penalty to the City Administrator upon filing a written notice within 15 days from the date on the false alarm notification. (Ord. 1421, 2007)
8.20.050 Payment of penalty fees required.
The City Administrator may authorize the City Attorney to collect the fees by appropriate legal action. The person responsible for payment of the penalties shall also be responsible for payment of all costs incurred by the City, including reasonable attorneys’ fees. (Ord. 1421, 2007)