Chapter 10.25 — MOTOR VEHICLE ALARMS

A.

The City Council finds and declares that a significant problem exists in the City with motor vehicle alarms. Many alarms are activated by accident or carelessness and not as the result of any criminal activity. The noise from motor vehicle alarms is contrary to public health, safety and welfare of the community and is declared to be a public nuisance.

B.

No person shall cause, allow, permit or suffer any alarm located in a motor vehicle registered in the name of or operated by such person to emit any continuous or intermittent audible sound in the City for a period of more than fifteen (15) minutes. The time shall be calculated based upon the emission of the first audible sound and ending fifteen (15) minutes thereafter notwithstanding any variation or delay in the emissions of audible sound.

C.

Except as provided in Subsection 10.25.010.D, any person violating this Section shall be guilty of an infraction. Any person convicted of an infraction under this Section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00).

D.

Any person violating this Section who has been previously convicted of three (3) or more violations of this Section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

E.

The Police Department, in order to abate the public nuisance created by a vehicle in violation of this Section, may take such steps as are reasonably necessary to enter the vehicle, disconnect the alarm, and remove the vehicle for safekeeping in the manner permitted by law.

(Ord. C-6036 § 2, 1984)