14.170 Alarm Systems.

(1) Definitions. In this section:

Alarm system shall mean any electrical or mechanical device used for the detection of an unauthorized entry on premises or for the detection of a fire, which, when activated, emits a sound or transmits a signal or message or both.

False alarm shall mean a signal from an alarm system which results in a call, directly or indirectly, to the dispatch center utilized by the Manitowoc Police Department, resulting in an unnecessary response by any emergency response unit.

Person shall mean any individual, partnership, corporation or other entity.

Private alarm system is any alarm system not owned or leased by the City of Manitowoc.

(2) Permits.

(a) Permit Required. A permit shall be required for each alarm system on premises within the City of Manitowoc which alarm system terminates at the Manitowoc Police Department dispatch, or any other point of termination which in turn notifies the City of Manitowoc Police Department to respond to an emergency. The permit application shall be on a form prescribed by the Manitowoc Police Department, which shall include the name of the person responsible as owner, lessee, or user; the exact location of premises where alarm is installed, the phone number, type of alarm, persons to be contacted upon alarm actuation, etc. There shall be a charge of $15.00 for such permit. Permits may be issued only by the Manitowoc Police Department.

(b) Time to Acquire. As to those alarm systems now on the premises in the City of Manitowoc meeting the requirements of this section, a permit shall be obtained within 90 days after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section. As to any alarm system installed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section, a permit shall be received before the system is installed.

(c) Interior Alarms. A permit referred to herein is not required for an alarm system which gives a signal, visual or audible or both, solely within the interior of the building in which it is located.

(3) Prohibitions.

(a) False Alarm. No person owning, leasing, using or possessing a private alarm system shall cause or permit the giving of a false alarm, whether intentional or accidental, which is caused by human error, by electrical or mechanical dysfunction, or both.

(b) Permit. No person owning, leasing, using or possessing a private alarm may cause the alarm to be installed prior to receiving a permit.

(4) Penalty.

(a) For the first violation of subsection (3)(a) of this section by a person involving an alarm system, the Manitowoc Police Department shall issue a written warning.

(b) For violations by a person involving an alarm system which has been the subject of a previous written warning issued by the Manitowoc Police Department within the one-year period immediately preceding the date on which the violation occurred, the violator shall forfeit the following sums:

Offense	Forfeiture
2nd false alarm	$20.00
3rd false alarm	$30.00
4th false alarm	$40.00
5th and succeeding violation	$50.00

For failure to secure a permit as specified in subsection (2)(a) of this section, the forfeiture upon conviction shall be $20.00.

[Prior code § 14.155]