Selma Municipal Code Ch. 18 Public Safety Alarm Systems

This chapter shall be referred to as the PUBLIC SAFETY ALARM SYSTEMS ORDINANCE. (Ord. 2008-9, 11-17-2008)

The purpose of this chapter is to set forth regulations governing burglary, robbery, disturbance, fire, and medical alarm systems within the city to reduce false alarms and to provide the authority to establish fines for false alarms. (Ord. 2008-9, 11-17-2008)

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:

ALARM SYSTEM: Any equipment designed or intended to notify persons of an emergency at a particular location to which the police department is expected to respond; or for detection of an unauthorized entry or attempted entry into premises or a structure; or for alerting others to the commission of an unlawful act, or both.

Alarm systems include, but are not limited to, silent alarms, audible alarms, and direct dial telephone devices. The following devices shall not constitute alarm systems within the meaning of this chapter:

(A) Alarm devices affixed to motor vehicles, trailers or trailer coaches 1

, vessels or aircraft;

(B) Alarm devices installed on a temporary basis by the police department.

ALARM USER: Any person who owns or is entitled to the possession of any premises or structure on which an alarm system has been installed.

AUDIBLE ALARM: A device designed for the detection of an unauthorized entry on, or an attempted entry into premises or a structure; or for alerting others of the commission of an unlawful act, or any equipment designed or intended to notify persons of an emergency at a particular location to which the police department is expected to respond, and which, when activated generates an audible sound on or off the premises.

AUTOMATIC DIALING SYSTEM: Any alarm system which automatically sends over regular telephone lines, by direct connection or otherwise, a prerecorded voice message indicating the existence of an emergency situation that the alarm system is designed to detect.

DIRECT CONNECT ALARMS: An alarm system that is capable of transmitting a signal to an agency maintained by a local governmental entity, including the city of Selma or its police department.

EXCESSIVE FALSE ALARMS: Those false alarms exceeding one within a calendar year.

FALSE ALARM: The activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation or maintenance, or the negligence of the owner, lesser or his or her employees or agents, which activates a response by law enforcement or other emergency response providers when an emergency condition does not exist; provided, however, alarms caused by acts of nature, bona fide power outages, or fire shall not be considered false alarms. (Ord. 2008-9, 11-17-2008)

(A) Excessive False Alarms: It shall be unlawful for any person to use, operate or maintain an alarm system within the city that emits excessive false alarms.

(B) Unlawful Alarms In Excess Of Fifteen Minutes: It shall be unlawful for any audible alarm to not automatically cease transmission within fifteen (15) minutes of activation. Should the alarm fail to silence after twenty (20) minutes, and the police department is unable to contact the user or his representative, the police department will cause an alarm agent or company to respond and silence the alarm. All costs for silencing the alarm shall be the responsibility of the alarm user. The costs to silence the alarm shall be a charge against the alarm user and shall constitute a debt of that person and is collectible by the city in the same manner as in the case of an obligation under a contract, express or implied.

(C) Direct Dial Or Connection To Police Department: It shall be unlawful for automatic dialing systems, direct connection alarms or other direct dial alarms to dial or connect to the Selma police department directly. (Ord. 2008-9, 11-17-2008)

(A) False Alarms: Three (3) or more false alarms in any calendar year shall result in the imposition of a fine as determined by resolution of the city council. All fines shall be payable to the city of Selma. An invoice shall be mailed to the alarm user within thirty (30) days of the false alarm. The fine is due and owing not later than thirty (30) days after the date of mailing of the invoice. The date of mailing shall appear on the invoice.

(B) Violation Of Chapter: Except as otherwise specifically provided, pursuant to the provisions of Government Code section 36900, violation of any of the provisions contained in this chapter shall constitute an infraction punishable by fines as determined by resolution of the city council.

(C) Remedies Cumulative: All remedies set forth in this chapter are cumulative and use of one or more remedies shall not bar the use of any other remedy for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 2008-9, 11-17-2008)