Chapter 6.48
FALSE ALARMS
Sections:
6.48.030 Fees and corrective action.
6.48.040 Issuance of notice of fees and interest charged on late fees.
6.48.050 Administrative decisions, notice.
6.48.060 Appeal from administrative decision, finality.
6.48.010 Purpose.
It is the intent of this chapter to reduce the number of false alarms occurring within the city and the resultant waste of city resources by providing for corrective administrative action, including fees. (Ord. 2106 § 1, 2017).
6.48.020 Definitions.
In this chapter, unless a different meaning plainly is required:
A. “Person” includes any natural person, partnership, joint stock company, unincorporated association or society, or a legal entity of any character whatsoever.
B. “False alarm” includes the activation of a fire, burglary and/or robbery alarm by other than a fire, forced entry, attempted forced entry, unlawful entry, or actual robbery or attempted robbery on the premises and at the time when no fire, robbery, burglary or crime involving a foreseeable risk of grievous bodily harm is being committed or attempted on the premises. (Ord. 2106 § 2, 2017).
6.48.030 Fees and corrective action.
A. Police. Each and every false alarm requiring a response within the city of Ritzville shall be allowed one false alarm during any three-month period. Thereafter, each false alarm in said three-month period shall be assessed a service fee of $100.00.
B. Fire. Each and every false alarm requiring a response within the city of Ritzville shall be allowed one false alarm during any three-month period. Thereafter, each false alarm in said three-month period shall be assessed a service fee of $100.00.
C. Audible Alarm. Any alarm audible upon abutting property for a period in excess of 20 minutes is declared to be a public nuisance and may be summarily abated by the police or fire department.
D. Corrective Action Requirement. Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter is subject to civil fee. When a false alarm has occurred, the owner shall, within 72 hours, make a written report to the police or fire chief, on forms provided by the police or fire chief, stating the reason of such false alarm and the corrective action taken to prevent the reoccurrence.
E. Failed Corrective Action. After the third false alarm within any calendar year the police or fire chief at their discretion may order the person having or maintaining the alarm to disconnect such alarm until the prescribed corrective action is taken and certification of such corrective action is provided to the police or fire chief; provided, that no disconnection shall be ordered relative to any premises required by law to have an alarm system in operation. (Ord. 2106 § 3, 2017).
6.48.040 Issuance of notice of fees and interest charged on late fees.
A. Responsibility for Issuance. The city clerk/treasurer shall be responsible for issuance of writ-ten notices of violations of this chapter to the person following the second and each succeeding false alarm in any three-month period. The police or fire chief shall notify the city clerk/treasurer of the amount of the fees to be collected. It shall be the responsibility of the city clerk/treasurer to collect all fees. Payment of service fees is due within 30 days. If payment of any fee due under this chapter is not received by the city of Ritzville clerk/treasurer by the due date, the unpaid balance shall bear interest thereon from the date such payment was due to the date of receipt of payment at the rate of 12 percent per annum.
B. Waive Imposition. In the event the police or fire chief determines that the false alarm(s) occurred as a direct result of an interruption of electrical power, a telephone system malfunction, an alarm equipment malfunction, or other causes clearly beyond the control of the owner, the police or fire chief may waive imposition of the applicable false alarm fees. (Ord. 2106 § 4, 2017).
6.48.050 Administrative decisions, notice.
Notice of imposition of any administrative sanction, including the imposition of a fee, under the provisions of this chapter shall be given to the person owning the premises where the alarm is located. (Ord. 2106 § 5, 2017).
6.48.060 Appeal from administrative decision, finality.
Any person subject to the imposition of a fee or other administrative sanction under the terms of this chapter shall have a right of appeal therefrom to the city council. Unless notice of appeal is filed with the city clerk within 30 days of receipt of notice of imposition of an administrative sanction, said sanction is deemed to be final. Receipt is deemed to occur within five days after mailing. (Ord. 2106 § 6, 2017).