La Puente Municipal Code Ch. 3.48 Burglar and Robbery Alarms

Sections:

• 3.48.010 Findings.

• 3.48.020 Definitions.

• 3.48.030 Direct-dial telephone devices.

• 3.48.040 Audible alarm requirement.

• 3.48.050 False alarm.

• 3.48.060 Repair.

• 3.48.070 Maintaining a public nuisance alarm.

• 3.48.080 Exemptions.

• 3.48.090 Violations.

• 3.48.100 Additional remedies.

*Prior ordinance history: Ord. 434.

The city council finds:

(a) The majority of burglar and holdup alarms to which law enforcement responds are false. Such false alarms result in an enormous waste of manpower. There are such a large percentage of false alarms as may lull law enforcement officers into a sense of false security. In responding to an alarm, they will probably assume it is a false alarm and may be wounded or killed by criminals at the location.

(b) Alarm systems which automatically and directly dial any emergency phone number are very prone to be activated by current failures or other events having no connection with criminal activity and tie up such emergency phones making them unavailable to receive genuine emergency calls.

(c) The danger to citizens through emergency response created by false alarms is unnecessary and hazardous.

(d) The unnecessary waste of tax dollars through responses to false alarms must be eliminated.

(e) False burglar and holdup alarms have created conditions causing danger and annoyance to the general public.

(Ord. 790 § 21 (part), 1999)

For purposes of this chapter, unless it is plainly evident from the context that a different meaning is intended, the following definitions shall apply:

“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.

“Alarm system” means any device, whether known as a burglary, robbery or intrusion alarm, direct-dial telephone device, audible or silent alarm or by any other name, which is used for the detection of an unauthorized entry into a building, structure or facility, or to signal the commission of an unlawful act. “Alarm system” includes those devices known as “proprietary alarm systems” which emit a signal within the protected premises only and are supervised by the proprietor of the premises where located. “Alarm system” does not include 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.

“Audible alarm” 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 or of the commission of an unlawful act.

“Direct-dial device” 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.

“False alarm” means an alarm signal activated by causes other than the commission or attempted commission of an unlawful act 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 does not constitute a false alarm.

(Ord. 790 § 21 (part), 1999)

It is unlawful for any person to use any alarm system which is equipped with a direct-dial device, and which, when activated, automatically dials any telephone number in any office of the Los Angeles County sheriff’s department.

(Ord. 790 § 21 (part), 1999)

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

(Ord. 790 § 21 (part), 1999)

It is unlawful for a person to knowingly turn in a false alarm. This section does not prohibit a test of an alarm system as permitted in advance by the sheriff’s department.

(Ord. 790 § 21 (part), 1999)

After any false alarm, the alarm owner must, upon request by the Los Angeles County sheriff’s department, submit a written report to the sheriff’s department describing actions taken or to be taken to eliminate the cause of the false alarm. This report must be submitted within ten days of the request by the sheriff’s department.

(Ord. 790 § 21 (part), 1999)

It is declared to be a public nuisance for any alarm owner to operate an alarm system:

(a) Which is operated or operates in such a manner as to violate any provision in this chapter;

(b) Which is operated or operates in such a manner as to violate any other provision in this code, including Section 4.34.020(h); or

(c) Which generates more than three false alarms in any twelve month period.

(Ord. 790 § 21 (part), 1999)

The provisions of this chapter do not apply 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. 790 § 21 (part), 1999)

A violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is a misdemeanor which is punishable by the general penalty of Section 1.08.040 of this code. Violations of this chapter may be prosecuted in the same manner as any other misdemeanor. However, upon the first violation of Section 3.48.050, the Los Angeles County sheriff’s department will serve a written notice on the violator describing the violation and specifying that the causes of the violation must be corrected within ten days of the date of service of the written notice. No further action will be taken provided that the sheriff’s department determines that the causes of the violation have been removed or fully corrected within the time period specified in this section.

(Ord. 790 § 21 (part), 1999)

The remedies set forth in this chapter are not exclusive and may be used in addition to those set forth elsewhere in this code or by law. As additional remedies, any violation of the provisions of this chapter may be abated in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 3.20 or 4.34 of this code.

(Ord. 790 § 21 (part), 1999)