Monrovia Municipal Code Ch. 9.47 False Burglar, Robbery and Fire Alarms

The City Council finds that the majority of burglar, robbery and fire alarms to which the Police Department and Fire Department respond are false. Responses to these false alarms result in a substantial waste of municipal resources. The fact that such a large percentage of the alarms are false may also lull public safety personnel into a sense of false security or reduced urgency in dealing with alarm calls. Further, the danger to citizens created by emergency responses to false alarms should be minimized. It is in the best interests of the public safety, welfare, and convenience of the city as well as in fairness to its citizens that the city require those persons generating an unusual number of false alarms to be deterred from permitting their alarm systems to generate the false alarms and to defray the city's expense for responding to those false alarms.

(`83 Code, § 9.47.010) (Ord. 92-17 § 1 (part), 1992)

As used in this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the meanings indicated in this section unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended:

ALARM SYSTEM. Any mechanical or electrical device which is designed or used for the detection of fire; intrusion into a building, structure or facility; or the commission of an unlawful act within a building, structure or facility; and for alerting persons of such an event by means of a local audible alarm or transmission of a signal or message to another location. Alarm systems include, but are not limited to direct-dial telephone devices, audible alarms, and supervised alarms. Devices which are not designed or used to evoke a Police Department or Fire Department response are not included within this definition.

ALARM USER. Any person on whose premises an alarm system is maintained within the city for his or her use, or for the use of his or her agents, employees, representatives, or family.

APPELLANT. A person who files an appeal pursuant to this chapter.

AUDIBLE ALARM. A device designed to notify persons in the immediate vicinity of the protected premises that the alarm has been triggered through the emission of an audible sound.

DIRECT-DIAL DEVICE. A device which is connected to a dial telephone line and, upon activation of an alarm system, automatically dials a predetermined telephone number and transmits a message or signal indicating the need of an emergency response.

FALSE ALARM. An alarm signal which the alarm owner cannot prove was activated by an actual fire in the case of a fire alarm, or by the commission or attempted commission of an unlawful act which the alarm system is designed to detect in the case of a burglar, intrusion or robbery alarm. An alarm system activated by violent conditions of nature or other extraordinary circumstances not reasonably within the control of the alarm user shall not constitute a false alarm.

PERSON. An individual, firm, corporation, association, partnership, individual, organization, or company.

(`83 Code, § 9.47.020) (Ord. 92-17 § 1 (part), 1992)

No person shall install or use any alarm system which is equipped with a direct-dial device which automatically dials any telephone number in the office of the Police Department, Fire Department, or any other department of the city.

(`83 Code, § 9.47.030) (Ord. 92-17 § 1 (part), 1992)

For every audible alarm, the alarm user thereof shall, in a location clearly visible to responding public safety personnel from outside the premises, post the names and telephone numbers of persons to be notified to render repairs or service during any hour of the day or night. An audible alarm shall automatically terminate its audible alarm signal within 15 minutes of its being activated.

(`83 Code, § 9.47.040) (Ord. 92-17 § 1 (part), 1992)

A service charge in an amount prescribed by resolution of the City Council shall be billed to and paid by the alarm user of a particular alarm system for the fourth and each and every subsequent false alarm in any 12-month period. No service charge shall be charged to the alarm user of an alarm system for the first three false burglary alarms in a 12-month period.

(`83 Code, § 9.47.050) (Ord. 92-17 § 1 (part), 1992)

The Chief of Police and the Fire Chief are respectively authorized and directed to prepare appropriate advisory procedures to be followed by officers responding to a false alarm, including preparation of written materials advising the alarm user of the provisions of this chapter.

(`83 Code, § 9.47.060) (Ord. 92-17 § 1 (part), 1992)

(A) Any person receiving a bill for a false alarm pursuant to this chapter may, within 15 days after the billing date, file a written request appealing the imposition of the false alarm service charge. Any appeal regarding such billing shall be heard by the City Manager, or his or her designee, as the Hearing Officer. Within ten days after the hearing, the Hearing Officer shall give written notice of their decision to the appellant.

(B) Upon the filing of a request for an appeal, payment of the bill for a false alarm shall be suspended until notice of the decision of the Hearing Officer.

(C) If the appeal is denied in part or in full, all amounts due to the city shall be paid within 30 days after notice of the decision of the Hearing Officer.

(`83 Code, § 9.47.070) (Ord. 92-17 § 1 (part), 1992)

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.

(`83 Code, § 9.47.080) (Ord. 92-17 § 1 (part), 1992)