Chino Hills Municipal Code Ch. 8.04 Alarm Systems

For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

"Alarm system" means any device designed for detection of an unauthorized entry on premises or for alerting others of the commission of an unlawful act, which device, when actuated, emits a sound beyond the business premises or residential unit or dwelling protected by such device or transmits a signal or message to another location.

"False alarm" means an activated alarm or alarm signals from any alarm system which is responded to within the city by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department or other entity providing law enforcement services to the city, but for which no emergency situation exists or where there is no evidence to indicate that there was an emergency situation as determined by the responding officer. The phrase "false alarm" shall not include those alarms activated by extraordinary meteorological, atmospheric, geological, or other conditions or means as determined by such County Sheriff's Department or other entity providing law enforcement services to the city.

"Fiscal year" means the period from including July 1st of any year to and including June 30th of the following year.

"Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, or other entity.

(Ord. 92-26 § 1 (part))

A service charge shall be established by resolution of the City Council in order to defray city costs incurred in providing law enforcement services in response to a false alarm which shall be paid to the city, by each person who possesses the premises, for each third and subsequent police response made to those premises generated by a false alarm during any fiscal year.

(Ord. 92-26 § 1 (part))

The city's Finance Department shall cause to be billed a monthly bill for the unpaid service charges accrued during the billing period and any prior periods. Such bills shall be due and payable within fifteen (15) days after the billing date. The City Council authorizes the Finance Director to institute small claims collections proceedings when the Director determines that such is necessary to secure payment of any unpaid service charges. In the event the amount of any unpaid service charges exceeds the jurisdiction of the small claims court, the City Council authorizes the City Attorney to institute legal proceedings to collect any unpaid service charges when such unpaid service charges are forwarded by the Director of Finance for collection.

(Ord. 92-26 § 1 (part))

The amount of any service charge shall be deemed a debt to the city. A court or other action may be commenced in the name of the city as set forth in Section 8.04.030 above for the amount of any unpaid service charges. All service charges shall be deemed delinquent fifteen (15) days after they are due and payable.

(Ord. 92-26 § 1 (part))