HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 1387ORDINANCE NO. 1387
BEING AN ORDINANCE CREATING SECTION OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY CODE THAT MAKES
IT UNLAWFUL TO HAVE MORE THAN THREE FALSE ALARMS WITHIN ONE (1) CALENDAR YEAR.
Section 10.313 False Alarm Response
1. Definitions:
a. Alarm: Means a mechanical, electrical or an electronic device designed to detect and/or signal: intrusion,
holdup, trouble, or fire, excluding such device affixed to a motor vehicle.
False Alarm: Means an alarm signal when response by the police and/or fire, departments is not in fact
required, but excluding an alarm caused by storm or other conditions beyond the reasonable control of
the alarm or alarm user.
(1) False alarms signaled within a 24-hour period of the original false alarm will not be counted as
additional alarms, to allow for the repair and/or correction of the malfunction. :
(2)
The Columbia Heights Police will document all police false alarms for the purpose of enforcing
this ordinance and the Columbia Heights Fire Department will document all fire false alarms for
the purpose of enforcing this ordinance.
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Exception: Federal and/or State agencies and political subdivisions of the Federal or State government
shall be exempt from the payment of any permit, fees, and/or false alarm charges otherwise provided
for by this ordinance.
A fee shall be payable to the City of Columbia Heights for the third response and each subsequent response
within one calendar year by the Police and/or Fire Department to an automatic alarm device triggered other
than by reason of criminal activity and/or fire {false alarm). The fee shall be set .by resolution.
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The City shall have the power to collect such fee by whatever means necessary, including the issuance of
ordinance violation summons for failure to comply with the requirements of this section within seven (7)
working days of receiving notice of payment due. The person responsible for the payment of such fee is the
person to be cited. A petty misdemeanor.
4. Liability of City: The regulation of alarm response shall not constitute acceptance by the ,City of liability to
maintain equipment, to answer alarms, or to respond to alarms in any particular manner.
Offered by: Wyckof f
Seconded by: Hunter
Roll Call: Al 1 aves
Uo'-Anne Student, C$Uncii SeCtary
First Reading: April 12, 1999
Second Reading: May 10, 1999
Mayo-'bY'~a~ Per'son