Irwindale Municipal Code Ch. 9.63 Burglar Alarm Systems

As used herein the words hereinafter defined are used as so defined unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended.

A. "Alarm owner" means the person who owns, leases, rents, uses or makes available for use by his agents, employees, representatives or family, any alarm system.

B. "Alarm system" means any device whether known as a burglary, robbery or intrusion alarm, or by any other name, which is used for the detection of an unauthorized entry into a building, structure or facility. It shall include not only those devices which emit a signal within the protected premises only, are supervised by the proprietor of the premises where located, and are otherwise known as "proprietary alarm systems," but shall also include any remote or silent signal devices. Auxiliary devices installed by a telephone company to protect telephone company systems which might be damaged or disrupted by the use of an alarm system are not included in this definition.

C. "Audible" means a device designed to notify persons in the immediate vicinity of the protected premises by emission of an audible sound of an unauthorized entry on the premises.

D. "Direct dial service" means a device which is connected to a telephone line and upon activation of an alarm system, automatically dials a predetermined telephone number and transmits a message or signal indicating a need for emergency response.

E. "False alarm" means an alarm signal activated by any cause other than the commission or attempted commission of an unauthorized entry which the alarm system is designed to detect. An alarm signal activated by violent conditions of nature or other extraordinary circumstances not subject to the control of the alarm owner shall not constitute a false alarm.

(Ord. 440 § 1(part), 1990).

A. For every alarm the alarm owner or user thereof, shall post the names and telephone numbers of persons to be notified to render repairs and service during any hour of the day or night during which the alarm is operated. An audible alarm shall terminate its operation, or the audible alarm shall automatically reset, within fifteen minutes of its being activated.

B. Direct dial alarms will be programmed to telephone numbers only as designated by the chief of police.

(Ord. 440 § 1 (part), 1990).

No person shall knowingly turn in a false alarm. This section does not prohibit a test of an alarm system as permitted in advance by the police department.

(Ord. 440 § 1(part), 1990).

Any alarm system which generates more than three false alarms in any twelve- month period shall constitute a public nuisance due to the inordinate response time and risk attributable thereto. It shall be unlawful for any person to own, use or operate an alarm system classified as a public nuisance hereunder.

(Ord. 440 § 1 (part), 1990).

The provisions of Section 9.63.020 are not applicable to audible alarms affixed to motor vehicles or to a public telephone utility whose only duty is to furnish telephone service pursuant to tariffs on file with the California Public Utilities Commission.

(Ord. 440 § 1(part), 1990).

Upon the first violation of Section 9.63.020, the chief of police shall serve a written notice on the violator describing the violation and specifying that the causes of the violation shall be corrected within ten days of the date of service of the written notice. No further action shall be taken; provided, that the chief of police determines that the causes of the violation have been removed or fully corrected within the time period specified in this section.

(Ord. 440 § 1(part), 1990).

Any alarm owner or user about to be cited for violation of Section 9.63.020 may avoid such process by paying a civil penalty to the director of finance of twenty-five dollars for the first offense, seventy-five dollars for the second, and one hundred fifty dollars for the third and subsequent offenses.

(Ord. 440 § 1(part), 1990).