Compton Municipal Code § 9-20 Silent Burglar Alarm Systems

[Added by Ord. #1406, § 6-1200]

As used in this section:

SILENT BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEM AND ALARM SYSTEM

Shall mean any telephonic system comprised of electronic equipment or devices which is designed to:

a.

Operate automatically through the use of public telephone facilities; and

b.

Transmit through such telephonic facilities a signal message or warning to the Police Department.

[Added by Ord. #1406, § 6-1201; Ord. #1795, § 1; Ord. #1812, § 3]

Every alarm user shall obtain an annual Alarm User's Permit prior to the installation and use of an alarm system.

[Added by Ord. #1406, § 6-1202; Ord. #1795, § 2; Ord. #1812, § 4]

Applications for Alarm Users' Permits shall be filed with the City Treasurer's Office. A $25 filing and processing fee for residential users and $50 for commercial users shall be paid at the time of filing and said permits shall be valid for one year from date of issuance and renewable at a fee of $15 and $40, respectively, thereafter. Copies of permits and renewals shall be forwarded to the Office of the Chief of Police.

[Added by Ord. #1406, § 6-1203]

The City Manager shall approve an application for a silent burglar alarm system if he finds that the use of such alarm system to transmit a signal, message, or warning to the Police Department through its telephone lines will not interfere with the orderly conduct of City business over such telephone lines.

[Added by Ord. #1406, § 6-1204]

a. The City shall maintain the alarm system from the telephone company terminal panel to the alarm system board located at the Police Department.

b. The City shall furnish the necessary relay, which shall be compatible to the alarm system.

c. The alarm system company shall be responsible for the maintenance and service of the equipment located at the location of the subscriber and shall lease from the telephone company the telephone line from the subscriber's location to the Police Department.

d. The City Manager, or his designated representative, may impose reasonable rules and conditions for the operation of the silent burglar alarm system as he finds necessary to protect the public safety.

[Added by Ord. #1406, § 6-1205]

The City Manager, or his designated representative, shall have the right to inspect any silent burglar alarm system on any premises from which signals to the Police Department shall originate prior to the issuance of any permit for the operation of the silent alarm system, and he may cause an inspection of such alarm system to be made at any time on such premises after the issuance of the permit to determine whether such alarm system is used in conformity with the terms of the permit and the provisions of this section.

[Ord. #1795, § 3; Ord. #1812, § 5]

Any alarm which generates more than three false alarms within a twelve-month period shall be deemed an excessive user. Following the third false alarm, the Chief of Police shall cause notification to be made to the user of the false alarm ordinance and the administrative fee schedule for additional false alarms.

A false alarm response is defined as police personnel initiating any law enforcement response where no activity requiring a law enforcement effort is deemed necessary to maintain public safety or the protection of property.

An alarm user whose alarm system has generated more than three false alarms within a twelve-month period shall be notified by the Police Department within 10 days of police response to a false alarm that a penalty has been assessed, and payment of an administrative fee is due within 30 days of said notification.

Said user shall pay the assessed fee to the City Treasurer's Office within 10 days and provide written notification to the Chief of Police that said alarm has been inspected and repaired by a certified alarm company and is in good working order.

The fee schedule for responding to such alarms is as follows:

a. The City Treasurer's Office shall revoke Alarm Users' Permits for those whose alarm systems have generated more than six false alarms within a twelve-month period or those whose False Alarm Response Fees are delinquent, and forward notice of same to the Office of the Chief of Police.

b. Alarm users, upon proof of payment of all delinquencies, verification that corrective action has been taken to prevent false alarm responses, and approval of the Chief of Police may re-apply for an alarm permit following a thirty-day waiting period.

[Ord. #1795, § 4; Ord. #1812]

That installation and/or operation of a burglary or robbery alarm within the City of Compton without a valid alarm user's permit shall be deemed an infraction subject to a $100 fine.