§ 17-59. Definitions.

For purpose of this article, the following terms shall apply:

Alarm system means any device or system that emits, transmits or relays a signal intended to summon or that would reasonably be expected to summon, emergency services of the city, including, but not limited to, local alarms. "Alarm system" shall include, but not be limited to, cable television alarm systems, fire alarms (including water flow alarms), medical alert alarms, and other emergency assistance alarms. "Alarm system" does not include an alarm installed on a vehicle, unless such vehicle is permanently located at a site, nor an alarm designed to alert only the inhabitants of a premises which does not have a local alarm.

Automatic protection device means an electrically operated instrument composed of sensory apparatus and related hardware which automatically sends over regular telephone lines by direct connection or otherwise, a prerecorded voice alarm upon receipt of a stimulus from the sensory apparatus that has detected a physical force or condition inherently characteristic of a fire or unauthorized intrusion.

False alarm means an alarm notification to the police-fire communication center, when the responding officer finds no evidence of unauthorized intrusion, attempted unauthorized intrusion, robbery, attempted robbery, fire or activated sprinkler system, an attempt to take person hostage, or any other occurrence which an alarm system or automatic protection device is designed to signal or warn of, or to summon emergency assistance. An alarm will not be considered false if it is determined that the alarm was caused by:

(1)

A natural or manmade catastrophe;

(2)

Severe weather that causes physical damage to the premises;

(3)

Vandalism; or

(4)

Telephone line outage.

The permittee shall have the burden of proving these causes. The determination of the fire chief or chief of police shall be final.

Local alarm means an alarm that emits a signal at an alarm site that is audible or visible from the exterior of a structure.

Primary trunk line means a telephone line leading into the communication center of the police-fire communications center that is for the purpose of handling emergency calls on a person to person basis, and which line is identified by a specific listing among the emergency numbers in the telephone directory issued by the telephone company serving the city.

Robbery alarm means an alarm that is activated by the overt action of a person to signal an intrusion, attempted unauthorized intrusion, robbery, attempted robbery or a hostage situation.

(Ord. No. 3716, § 1, 12-4-84; Ord. No. 4950, § 1, 1-28-92; Ord. No. 6160, § 1, 10-19-99; Ord. No. 6893, § 1, 8-19-03; Ord. No. 7812, § 1, 8-12-08; Ord. No. 7843, § 1, 9-16-08)