Alhambra Municipal Code Ch. 9.20 False Reports to Police or Fire Departments

The City Council hereby finds that the Police and Fire Departments must respond to calls for service especially those calls received via the 911 emergency telephone system. Periodically, these calls are false or misleading and because they require emergency response of public safety personnel, the personnel are unavailable for legitimate calls which places the residents of the city at risk. Therefore, the Council hereby further finds that it is in the best interest of the public safety, welfare, and convenience of the city as well as in fairness to its citizens to require those persons placing the false, misleading or annoying telephone calls and/or reports to partially defray the city's expense for providing the response to the same.

('86 Code, § 9.20.010) (Ord. 4245, passed - - )

It shall be unlawful for any person to make or file with the Police and/or Fire Department of this city, or any officer or department personnel thereof, any false, misleading or unfounded statement or alleged commission of any crime occurring in this city.

('86 Code, § 9.20.020) (Ord. 4245, passed - - ) Penalty, see § 9.20.070

No person or persons shall telephone the Police or Fire Department with the intent to annoy the Police Department or Fire Department or interfere with the orderly operation of the departments. The telephone calls shall include, but not be limited to, those calls in violation of Cal. Penal Code § 653m.

('86 Code, § 9.20.030) (Ord. 4245, passed - - ) Penalty, see § 9.20.070

Any person found responsible for making a false report, statement or telephone call with the intent to annoy, shall be liable for costs for Police and/or Fire Department response and investigative time. These costs shall include all costs incurred by the Police Department and/or Fire Department to respond and investigate the nature of the call, statement or report, and such costs may include damage to city property and/or injury to city personnel. Any fee so charged pursuant to this chapter shall not be in excess of $1,000 for a single incident. The city reserves the right to elect any other legal remedies available to it when the costs or damages exceed $1,000. The accounting and billing procedures set forth in § 9.20.060 of this chapter shall apply.

('86 Code, § 9.20.040) (Ord. 4245, passed - - )

When the person responsible for making a false or misleading report, statement or call pursuant to this chapter is a minor, the parent or legal guardian of the minor shall be held liable for all costs incurred by the Police Department and/or Fire Department to respond and investigate the activity as reported pursuant to §§ 9.20.040 and 9.20.060 of this chapter.

('86 Code, § 9.20.050) (Ord. 4245, passed - - ) Penalty, see § 9.20.070

Any and all personnel who may be deployed by the city pursuant to this chapter shall be deemed to be on regular duty under the general supervision of the Police Chief or the Fire Chief and any officer in charge under their respective commands, and shall be entitled to any and all benefits provided by law or ordinance for such personnel as employees of the city. The pay for each employee thus employed during such employment shall be at his or her actual rate of pay with a four-hour minimum. The Police Chief, Fire Chief, or other department head, as the case may be, shall report to the Director of Finance the name of the person, firm, organization or corporation requiring such personnel, the names of the employees so employed and the number of hours of employment of each. The Director of Finance shall thereupon bill the person, firm or corporation employing such personnel for the amount paid to each plus the cost of worker's compensation charges and other administrative costs. Any failure of the person, firm or corporation billed for services of such personnel to make payment therefore shall constitute a debt due solely to the city. Any fees imposed pursuant to this chapter shall be in addition to any penalties which the courts may impose as a result of criminal charges.

('86 Code, § 9.20.060) (Ord. 4245, passed - - )

Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable as provided by § 1.12.010 of this code.

('86 Code, § 9.20.070) (Ord. 4245, passed - - )