Chapter 9.44
ALARM SYSTEMS
Sections:
9.44.020 Use of automatic telephone alarm unlawful.
9.44.030 Directly connected electronic alarm—Means for deactivating.
9.44.040 Audible and visual alarms—Deactivation.
9.44.050 False alarms—Corrective measures required—Penalties—Discontinuance of response.
9.44.010 Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
“Audible or visible 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 capacity 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 police department, fire department, or the Cowlitz Communications Center, in notification thereof.
“False alarm” means the activation of a device with senses or detects potential or threatened burglaries, robberies, uninvited entry, fire or other emergency events, at a time when 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.
“Fire department” means Cowlitz County District 2 Fire and Rescue.
“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 police department, fire department or Cowlitz County Communications Center. (Ord. 3327 § 1, 1996)
9.44.020 Use of automatic telephone alarm unlawful.
It is unlawful for any person to notify the fire department, police department, or Cowlitz 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. 3327 § 1, 1996)
9.44.030 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 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 police department, fire department or other emergency service. Such directly connected electronic alarm shall be deactivated or reset within one hour following a request by the police department, fire department, or Cowlitz 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 Communications Center may obtain the services of an electrician, security system technician or other knowledgeable person, as well as a locksmith, to obtain access 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 fifteen days after the mailing of a statement setting forth such charges. (Ord. 3327 § 1, 1996)
9.44.040 Audible and visual alarms—Deactivation.
A. All persons, firms or corporations maintaining audible or visual alarms shall provide the 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 police department or the fire department.
B. In the event that no individual responds to such a request to deactivate or reset such audible or visual alarm, the 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. 3327 § 1, 1996)
9.44.050 False alarms—Corrective measures required—Penalties—Discontinuance of response.
A. In the event of the occurrence of a false alarm, the fire department or 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 police department or fire department, 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 police department or fire department, whichever has required the report of inspection, within ten days thereafter. Said report of inspection shall be delivered personally or mailed by certified mail to the police chief or 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 in an amount set by resolution of the city council, and the written report as to the condition of the device signaling a false alarm shall be required as in subsection B of this section. In addition, the 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 in an amount set by resolution of the city council 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 alarms response fees shall not be paid within thirty days, the police department and fire department may decline further responses to alarms originating from such premises. (Ord. 3820 § 17, 2014; Ord. 3327 § 1, 1996)