Citrus Heights Municipal Code Div. 1 Generally

The inefficiency resulting from responses by the police department to false alarms detracts from its ability to respond to bona fide emergencies. In order to improve the ability of the chief of police to effectively respond to law enforcement needs and to encourage alarm system users, lessors, sellers and manufacturers to better construct and maintain alarm systems in the city, an alarm permit requirement is hereby imposed on all alarm system users, as set forth in this article. Nothing in this article shall be construed to require any police department response to alarm devices. The issuance of an alarm permit does not entitle the holder to any special level of police department service. All police department responses to alarm devices will be made in accordance with the alarm response policy established by the chief of police.

(Ord. No. 97-01, § 2(9.96.010), 1-2-1997; Ord. No. 97-13, § 2, 3-26-1997; Ord. No. 97-17, § 2, 9-24-1997; Ord. No. 97-23, § 1(9.96.010), 12-17-1997)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Alarm company means any person conducting or engaged in the business of selling, leasing, maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving, installing or monitoring alarm systems within the city.

Alarm site means an identifiable and detached building with a separate alarm system, or an individual business premises or residence within a building, having a separate alarm system.

Alarm system means a device or system that emits, transmits, or relays, when tripped, a signal intended to summon, or that could reasonably be expected to summon, police services of the city. The term "alarm system" does not include the following:

(1) An alarm installed on a vehicle, unless the vehicle is permanently located at a site;

(2) An alarm which by design only alerts the occupants of a residence or business premises; or

(3) Alarm devices installed on a temporary basis by the police department.

Automatic dialing device means an alarm system which automatically sends over regular telephone lines, by direct connection or otherwise, a prerecorded voice message indicating the existence of the emergency situation that the alarm system is designed to detect.

Central station means an office to which alarm systems are connected, where operators supervise the circuits, and where guards and/or servicepersons are maintained continuously to investigate signals.

Direct line means a telephone line leading directly from a central station to the communications center of the police department, where the line is used only to report emergency signals on a person-to-person basis.

False alarm means the activation of an alarm system which precipitates a response by police services of the city, when police services are not required. False alarms do not include alarms resulting from violent acts of nature, such as earthquakes, gale-force winds, or tornadoes.

Interconnect means to connect an alarm system to a telephone line, either directly or through a mechanical device that utilizes a standard telephone, for the purpose of using the telephone line to transmit an emergency message upon the activation of the alarm system.

Modified central station means an office to which alarm systems are connected where operators supervise the circuits, but where guards are not maintained to investigate alarm systems.

Person means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, organization, school district, government agency or similar entity.

Primary trunk line means any telephone line, including 911 emergency lines, leading directly into the communications center of the police department for the purpose of handling emergency calls on a person-to-person basis, and which is identified as such by a specific number included among the emergency numbers listed in the telephone directory issued by the telephone company, covering the service area within the police department's jurisdiction.

Siren means any audible noise similar to that which must be sounded by an authorized emergency vehicle under the conditions set forth in Vehicle Code § 21055.

Special trunk line means a telephone line leading into the communications center of the police department and having the primary purpose of handling emergency messages originating through a central station, modified central station or answering service.

(Ord. No. 97-01, § 2(9.96.015—9.96.080), 1-2-1997; Ord. No. 97-13, § 2, 3-26-1997; Ord. No. 97-17, § 2, 9-24-1997; Ord. No. 97-23, § 1(9.96.015—9.96.080), 12-17-1997)

Cross reference— Definitions generally, § 1-2.

(a) No alarm system shall be installed or connected on or after January 1, 1988, which emits the sound of a siren. Any alarm system which emits the sound of a siren and which is installed and in operation prior to January 1, 1987, shall have that part of the alarm system disconnected prior to January 1, 1988.

(b) Every alarm system permit, or a copy thereof, shall be kept on the premises where the alarm is installed.

(c) When the perpetrator of a robbery or burglary has fled the scene of the crime, the 911 emergency line is to be used for notification of the chief of police, and the alarm system should not be activated.

(d) Alarm systems shall be equipped with an automatic shutoff or reset feature which deactivates the alarm within 15 minutes after it is first activated and which has an auxiliary power system capable of operating the system for at least four hours if utility power is interrupted or fails. Alarm systems which have been installed prior to January 1, 1989, and which do not have the automatic shutoff or reset feature, shall be so equipped prior to January 1, 1990. Notwithstanding this subsection, a permittee who maintains or operates an alarm system without an automatic shutoff or reset feature shall be subject to section 30-32.

(Ord. No. 97-01, § 2(9.96.135), 1-2-1997; Ord. No. 97-13, § 2, 3-26-1997; Ord. No. 97-17, § 2, 9-24-1997; Ord. No. 97-23, § 1(9.96.135), 12-17-1997)

(a) No automatic dialing device shall be interconnected to a primary trunk line of the police department or 911 emergency center trunk line after January 1, 1987. Any such automatic dialing device so interconnected prior to January 1, 1987, shall be disconnected prior to July 1, 1987. The permittee of the alarm system shall be responsible for having the device disconnected.

(b) Persons owning or leasing an automatic dialing device may have the device interconnected to a telephone line transmitting directly to:

(1) A central station;

(2) A modified central station; or

(3) An answering service.

(c) The relaying of messages to the police department by a modified central station or an answering service may be over a special trunk line unless the special trunk line is unavailable. The relaying of messages by a central station may be over a direct line. After January 1, 1987, no alarm messages may be relayed to the chief of police using the 911 emergency center or 911 trunk lines. If special trunk lines are not available, all relaying of messages by a modified central station or answering service may be over a primary trunk line.

(d) The relaying of messages to the police department by an automatic dialing device may not be interconnected directly to the police department or indirectly to the telephone company operator, city telephone operator, or 911 emergency center operator.

(Ord. No. 97-01, § 2(9.96.140), 1-2-1997; Ord. No. 97-13, § 2, 3-26-1997; Ord. No. 97-17, § 2, 9-24-1997; Ord. No. 97-23, § 1(9.96.140), 12-17-1997)

A robbery or panic alarm system is to be activated for a robbery, burglary or life-threatening situation, in progress. Any other use is prohibited. Violation of this section shall be a misdemeanor pursuant to Penal Code § 148.3.

(Ord. No. 97-01, § 2(9.96.145), 1-2-1997; Ord. No. 97-13, § 2, 3-26-1997; Ord. No. 97-17, § 2, 9-24-1997; Ord. No. 97-23, § 1(9.96.145), 12-17-1997)

The permittee under this article shall notify the chief of police of any impending service, test, or maintenance of the permittee's alarm system which may signal a false alarm. An alarm activated where such prior notice has been given shall not constitute a false alarm.

(Ord. No. 97-01, § 2(9.96.150), 1-2-1997; Ord. No. 97-13, § 2, 3-26-1997; Ord. No. 97-17, § 2, 9-24-1997; Ord. No. 97-23, § 1(9.96.150), 12-17-1997)

An alarm system may be declared a public nuisance, as set forth in Penal Code § 370, and the permittee responsible for such alarm system may be guilty of a misdemeanor, in accordance with Penal Code § 372, when the alarm system:

(1) Generates an audible sound on the premises for a period longer than 15 minutes.

(2) Generates three or more false alarms within any 24-consecutive-hour period.

(3) Has been assessed three or more service fees within any 12-consecutive-month period.

(Ord. No. 97-01, § 2(9.96.155), 1-2-1997; Ord. No. 97-13, § 2, 3-26-1997; Ord. No. 97-17, § 2, 9-24-1997; Ord. No. 97-23, § 1(9.96.155), 12-17-1997)

No alarm company shall monitor an alarm system upon any property within the city, if the alarm user does not have a valid permit issued pursuant to this article. Each alarm company shall provide a copy of this article to each person with whom it agrees to install and/or monitor an alarm system at the time of such agreement. Failure of the alarm company to comply with this section shall be a violation of this article.

(Ord. No. 97-01, § 2(9.96.160), 1-2-1997; Ord. No. 97-13, § 2, 3-26-1997; Ord. No. 97-17, § 2, 9-24-1997; Ord. No. 97-23, § 1(9.96.160), 12-17-1997)

(a) Any central station, modified central station, or answering service that relays messages to the police department, and requests the dispatch of deputies to an alarm system location, shall maintain and shall provide the following information to the chief of police's dispatch at the time each message is relayed:

(1) The name of the permittee;

(2) The address of the alarm system; and

(3) The alarm permit number.

(b) Failure to comply with this section shall be a violation of this article.

(Ord. No. 97-01, § 2(9.96.161), 1-2-1997; Ord. No. 97-13, § 2, 3-26-1997; Ord. No. 97-17, § 2, 9-24-1997; Ord. No. 97-23, § 1(9.96.161), 12-17-1997)

(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided, pursuant to Government Code § 36900, violation of any of the sections contained in this article shall constitute an infraction punishable as provided in section 1-21.

(b) The chief of police is the enforcing official charged with the responsibility for administering this article. Pursuant to Penal Code § 836.5, city employees in the police records officer classifications and acting under the direction and control of the chief of police shall be authorized to enforce and arrest persons without a warrant for violations of this article.

(c) The chief of police is hereby empowered, pursuant to Government Code § 36900, to seek recovery of the fines or false alarm service fees by civil action in small claims court.

(d) All remedies set forth in this article are cumulative, and the use of one or more remedies shall not bar the use of any other remedy for the purpose of enforcing this article.

(Ord. No. 97-01, § 2(9.96.165), 1-2-1997; Ord. No. 97-13, § 2, 3-26-1997; Ord. No. 97-17, § 2, 9-24-1997; Ord. No. 97-23, § 1(9.96.165), 12-17-1997)

(a) The sections of this article are not intended or shall be construed to create a special relationship between the city and any alarm system permittee so as to create a duty on the part of the chief of police to respond to any alarm. Neither shall the sections of this article be construed as a waiver of any immunity provided governmental agencies for tort liability contained in the Government Code.

(b) This article is not intended to and shall not be construed or given effect in a manner that imposes upon the city or any officer or employee thereof a mandatory duty of care towards persons and property within or without the city so as to provide a basis for civil liability for damages, except as otherwise imposed by law.

(Ord. No. 97-23, §§ 1(9.96.170), 2, 12-17-1997)

The city council hereby finds that the establishment, modification, structuring, or approval of the rates, fares, or other charges set forth in this article are for the purpose of meeting operating expenses, including employee wage rates and fringe benefits; purchasing or leasing supplies, equipment, or materials; meeting financial reserve needs and requirements; or obtaining funds for capital projects, necessary to maintain service within existing service areas.

(Ord. No. 97-23, § 4, 12-17-1997)