Tuolumne County Municipal Code Ch. 5.24 Registration of Burglar and Robbery Alarms

Sections:

• 5.24.010

• Definitions

• 5.24.015

• Direct dial alarms.

• 5.24.020

• Mandatory response by owner/agent.

• 5.24.030

• Registration.

• 5.24.040

• False alarm fees.

• 5.24.050

• Administrative appeal.

this chapter, the following terms shall mean:

A. "Alarm System" means any mechanical or electrical device which is designed or used for the detection of an unauthorized entry into a building, structure or facility, or upon land; or for alerting others of the commission of an unlawful act within a building, structure or facility, or upon land; and which emits a sound or transmits a signal or message when actuated. Alarm systems include, but are not limited to, automatic telephone dialing system devices, hard lines, audible alarms and proprietor alarms. Devices which are not designed or used to register alarms that are audible, visible or perceptible outside of the protected land, building, structure or facility are not included within this definition, nor are fire alarms, or auxiliary devices installed by the telephone company systems which might be damaged or disrupted by the use of an alarm system.

B. "Burglar alarm" means a passively activated alarm system designed to summon law enforcement for an unlawful entry onto the premises wherein the system is installed.

C. "Canceled response" mean a response to a reported alarm emergency which has been canceled by the alarm system owner or agent prior to the arrival of departmental response personnel.

D. "Department" means the county sheriff’s department.

E. "Failure to respond" is a situation wherein the owner of an alarm system, or his/her agent, fails to arrive at the location of the alarm to secure the alarm or premises within thirty minutes of notification by the department.

F. "False alarm" means a report received by the sheriff’s department from any source resulting in a response by the sheriff’s department personnel to the premises on which an alarm system is located, where an emergency situation of an unlawful burglary, robbery, prowler or trespass of the premises does not exist.

G. "First three false alarms" means the first second and third false alarm incidents experienced by an alarm system at a location within one calendar year.

H. "Owner or agent" means any person, firm, partnership, company, association or corporation, or any owner or lessee of premises on which an alarm system is installed or maintained, or the agent or representative of the above, which or who utilizes an alarm system on premises located within the county of Tuolumne.

I. "Premises" means any private residential, commercial, or industrial land and/or buildings located within the county (excluding land or buildings owned, rented or leased by the federal, state or local government) except school districts.

J. "Registered alarm system" means an alarm system which has been registered with the county sheriff's department during the period of one year from the date of original or renewal registration.

K. "Robbery alarm" means a dynamically activated alarm system designed to summon response by a law enforcement agency in an emergency.

L. "Subsequent false alarms" means the fourth and greater false alarm incidents experienced by an alarm system at a location within one calendar year. (Ord. 1952 § 1 (part), 1992).

shall use direct dial alarms to 9-1-1. (Ord. 1952 § 1 (part), 1992).

Upon telephone notification by the department, an alarm owner or his/her authorized agent shall proceed within thirty minutes to the scene of the alarm and render any necessary service, which includes, but is not limited to, opening the premises so that the premises may be searched, and renders the alarm and premises secure. (Ord. 1952 § 1 (part), 1992).

alarms within the county shall be registered with the department on a form provided by the department. Registration forms shall include, but are not limited to, the name and telephone number of persons authorized to secure the premises and deactivate the alarm system who can respond to the premises within 30 minutes, and any conditions present on the property that would constitute a hazard to responding personnel. Each alarm system shall be registered on an annual basis and renewed upon the anniversary date of the initial registration. The fee for initial registration and renewal of an alarm system will be charged as stated in Section 3.40.010(O)(16). Details of alarm system, as reported on the registration form, will be entered in the department's computer system to assist only in the efficient response of law enforcement personnel to robberies and burglaries. Records relating to individual registrations are not public records. (Ord. 1952 § 1 (part), 1992).

be maintained in a condition to minimize the incidents of false alarms. If an alarm system falsely renders an alarm, the owner or agent is responsible for fees as established in this section. The fees for response to a false alarm are contained in Section 3.40.010(O)(17). (Ord. 1952 § 1 (part), 1992).

agents of alarm systems may appeal the application of false alarm fees in writing to the sheriff's department's civil section within thirty days of initial billing. A hearing on the appeal will be conducted by a person designated by the sheriff within fifteen days. The decision of the department will be final. (Ord. 1952 § 1 (part), 1992).