HomeMy WebLinkAboutITEM VIII-A-2CITY OF - ,~
.~U~UR.N AGENDA BILL APPROVAL FORM
WASHINGTON
Agenda Subject: Ordinance No. 6216 -Revision of false alarm code Date:
December 3, 2008
Department: Attachments: Budget Impact:
Police Ordinance No. 6216
Administrative Recommendation:.
City Council introduce and adopt Ordinance No. 6216.
Background Summary:
The current provisions of the Auburn City Code include provisions addressing false alarms. However,
these provisions are insufficient to address the significant problems caused by police, law enforcement,
and other emergency response agencies to the significant number of false alarms. False alarms account
for approximately 99% of alarm systems to which police and emergency services respond. This is not
unique to the City of Auburn, and other agencies have joined together in the development of an ordinance
similar to the proposed Ordinance No. 6216 to provide a uniform response to the problem of false alarms.
Ultimately, false alarm fees will be charged for every false alarm, but during an initial education period,
the fee for a first alarm will not apply, per the proposed ordinance. The proposed ordinance also imposes
some requirements for those businesses or individuals having false alarms to promote operational
effectiveness of the alarm systems and the police and emergency responses to them.
P1215-1
01.8
Reviewed by Council & Committees: Reviewed by Departments & Divisions:
^ Arts Commission COUNCIL COMMITTEES: ®Building ^ M&O
^ Airport ^ Finance ^ Cemetery ^ Mayor
^ Hearing Examiner ^ Municipal Serv. ^ Finance ^ Parks
^ Human Services ^ Planning & CD ®Fire ®Planning
^ Park Board ^Public Works ^ Legal ^ Police
^ Planning Comm. ^ Other ®Public Works ^ Human Resources
^ Information Services
Action:
Committee Approval: ^Yes ^No
Council Approval: ^Yes ^No Call for Public Hearing _/_/
Referred to Until _/ /_
Tabled Until _/_/_
Councilmember: Cerino Staff: Kell
Meetin Date: December 15, 2008 Item Number: VIII.A.2
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ORDINANCE NO.6 2 1 6
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON, AMENDING
CHAPTER 9.30 OF THE AUBURN CITY CODE
RELATING TO FALSE ALARMS
WHEREAS, approximately 99% of alarm systems to which the Auburn
Police Department responds are False Alarms which are reported to the Police
Department by alarm companies; and
WHEREAS, most False Alarms are the result of improper maintenance or
improper or careless use of an Alarm System; and
WHEREAS, alarm companies are able to control the number of False
Alarms to which police response agencies must respond by appropriately and
diligently screening alarms before calling them in to police response agencies;
and
WHEREAS, the public and the police response agencies are subjected to
needless danger when the police response agencies are called to respond to
False Alarms; and
WHEREAS, all police response agencies and the public suffer the
consequences that police officers responding to False Alarm$ are not available
to carry out other police duties; and
WHEREAS, in the interest of using limited police resources most
effectively and efficiently, the number of False Alarms can and must be reduced;
and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to adopt code provisions addressing alarm
requirements.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN,
WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN as follows:
Section 1. That Chapter 9.30 of the Auburn City Code is amended to
read as follows:
------------------------------
Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 1 of 25
Chapter 9.30
FALSE ALARMS
Sections:
9.30.010 Oe#ifledDefinitions.
9.30.020 ~ ''^~•~en--T °'*"~~ Administration; Funding;
Increases in fees Annual Evaluation.
9.30.030
Alarm Permits Required; Terms; Fees and Fee Collection.
9.30.040 Permit Application; Contents.
9.30.050 Transfer of Permit Prohibited.
9.30.060 Duties of Alarm Users.
9.30.070 Audible Alarms; Restrictions. Disconnects.
9 30.080 Duties of Alarm Installation Companies and Monitoring
Companies.
9 30 090 Special Licensing of Alarm Installation and Monitoring
Companies.
9.30.100 Duties and Authority of the Alarm Administrator.
9.30.110 False Alarm Fees; Service Fees; Late Fees.
9 30 120 Notice to Alarm Users of False Alarms and Suspension of
Police Response.
9 30 130 Violation of Making Alarm Dispatch Request for Suspended
Alarm Site.
9 30 140 Appeals of Determinations Regarding Alarm Permits,
Security Alarm License and Fees.
9.30.150 Reinstatement of Suspended Alarm Permits.
9 30 160 Suspension of Police Response to an Alarm Site.
9.30.170 Revocation of Security Alarm License.
9.30.180 Police Department Response.
9.30.190 Confidentiality of Alarm Information.
9.30.200 Scope of Police Duty; Immunities Preserved.
9.30.210 Alternate Enforcement.
9.30.010 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, and to the point consistent with their
context, the ~ "
.following terms
and definitions apply:
A Alarm Administrator means the person or persons designated by
the Chief of Police to administer the provisions of this section.
------------------------------
Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 2 of 25
B. Alarm Agreement means the legal contract or agreement by and
between the Alarm Installation Company and/or Monitoring Company and the
Alarm User.
C. Alarm Agreement holding company means the company. whether
the Alarm Installation Company and/or Monitoring Company, holding the Alarm
Agreement with the Alarm User.
D. Alarm Installer Checklist means a check off list provided by the
Alarm Administrator to the alarm installer to complete at each Alarm Site after
the installation of an Alarm System and prior to its activation.
E. Alarm Installation Company means a Person in the business of
selling providing maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving or
installing an Alarm System at an Alarm Site for compensation, and includes
individuals or firms that install and service Alarm Systems used in a private
business or proprietary facility.
F. Alarm Dispatch Request means a notification to the Police
Department that an alarm either manual or automatic, has been activated at a
particular Alarm Site.
G. Alarm Response Manager FARM) means a Person designated by
an Alarm Installation Company and Monitoring Company to handle alarm issues
for the company and act as the primary point of contact for the jurisdiction's
Alarm Administrator.
H. Alarm Permit means a permit and Permit Number issued by the
Alarm Administrator to an Alarm User which authorizes the operation of an Alarm
S sy tem.
I. Alarm Site means a location served by one or more Alarm
Systems. In a multi-unit building or complex, each unit shall be considered a
separate Alarm Site if served by a separate Alarm System. In a single unit
building that houses two or more separate businesses with separate Alarm
Systems each business will be considered a separate Alarm Site.
J. Alarm System means a device or series of devices which emit or
transmit an audible or remote visual or electronic alarm signal which is intended
to summon police response. The term includes hardwired systems and systems
interconnected with a radio frequency method such as cellular or private radio
signals and includes Local Alarm Systems, but does not include an alarm
installed in a motor vehicle on one's Person or a system which will not emit a
signal either audible or visible from the outside of the building, residence or
beyond but is designed solely to alert the occupants of a building or residence.
K. Alarm User means any Person who has contracted for monitoring,
repair installation or maintenance service for an Alarm System from an Alarm
Installation Company or Monitoring Company, or who owns or operates an Alarm
System which is not monitored, maintained or repaired under agreement.
L. Alarm User Awareness Class means a class conducted for the
purpose of educating Alarm Users about the responsible use, operation, and
maintenance of Alarm Systems and the problems created by False Alarms.
------------------------------
Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 3 of 25
M. Alarm User List means a list provided by the Alarm User's Alarm
Installation Company or if no Alarm Agreement exists between the Alarm User
and an Alarm Installation Company the Alarm User's Monitoring Company.
N. Arming Station means a device that controls an Alarm System.
O. Automatic Voice Dialer means any electronic, mechanical, or other
device which when activated is capable of being programmed to send a
prerecorded voice message to a law enforcement agency requesting a police
dispatch to an Alarm Site.
P Burglar Alarm means an alarm intended to identify the presence of
an intruder in either a business or residence.
Q Burglar Alarm Confirmation means a method by which an alarm
Monitoring Company shall verify a Burglar Alarm call prior to making a Burglar
Alarm Dispatch Request. This method requires at least one of the following
types of acceptable verification for a Burglar Alarm call.
1 WITNESS AT SITE• who indicates criminal or suspicious activity.
2. AUDIO VERIFICATION; that indicates criminal activity.
3 VISUAL VERIFICATION (LIVE-TIME VIDEO); that indicates
criminal activity
4 SEQUENTIAL VERIFICATION (Two zone/device activation);
The Sequential Verification allows for a variety of configurations that are
acceptable as burglar alarm confirmation. It is the most common verification that
is used.
5. TWO INDEPENDENT DETECTORS ACTIVATION
6. TWO ALARM SIGNALS WITHIN A 10 MINUTE TIME PERIOD
R Burglary Alarm Crime in Progress means a burglar Alarm Dispatch
Request reported by a Monitoring Company that indicates a crime is in progress
based upon an audio video or similar verification device installed at the Alarm
Site.
S Business License means a Business License issued by Auburn
Business License division to an Alarm Installation Company or Monitoring
Company to sell install monitor repair or replace Alarm Systems. The term
does not include a Security Alarm License issued by the Police Department. (If
applicable).
T Cancellation means the termination of a police response to an
Alarm Site after a dispatch request is made but before an officer's arrival at the
Alarm Site.
U Conversion of Alarm User means the transaction or process by
which one Alarm Installation Company or Monitoring Company begins the
servicing or monitoring of a previously unmonitored Alarm System or an Alarm
System that was previously serviced or monitored by another alarm company.
V. Customer False Alarm Prevention Checklist means a check off list
provided by the Alarm Administrator to the Alarm Installer to provide to the Alarm
User to complete prior to the activation of an Alarm System.
------------------------------
Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 4 of 25
W. Duress Alarm means a silent Alarm System signal generated by
the entry of a designated code into an Arming Station in order to signal that the
Alarm User is being forced to turn off the system and requires an officer's
response.
X. Enhanced Call Verification means an attempt by the Monitoring
Company or its representative, to contact the Alarm Site and/or Alarm User
and/or the Alarm User's designated representatives by telephone and/or other
electronic means whether or not actual contact with a Person is made, to
determine whether an alarm signal is valid before requesting a police dispatch, in
an attempt to avoid an unnecessary Alarm Dispatch Request. For the purpose
of this Ordinance telephone verification shall require, as a minimum, that a
second call be made to a different number if the first attempt fails to reach an
Alarm User who can properly identify themselves to determine whether an alarm
signal is valid before requesting an officer dispatch. Names and numbers or
those contacted or attempted to contact, shall be provided when requested.
Y. False Alarm means an Alarm Dispatch Request to the Police
Department which results in the responding officer finding no evidence of a
criminal offense or attempted criminal offense after completing an investigation
of the Alarm Site.
Z. Holdup Alarm means a silent alarm signal generated by the manual
activation of a device intended to signal a robbery in progress.
AA. Local Alarm System means an unmonitored Alarm System that
annunciates an alarm only at the Alarm Site.
BB. Monitoring means the process by which a Monitoring Company
receives signals from an Alarm System and relaXs an Alarm Dispatch Request to
the Police Department.
CC. Monitoring Company means a Person in the business of providing
Monitoring_services.
DD. One Plus Duress Alarm means the manual activation of a silent
alarm signal by entering a code that adds one number to the last digit of the
normal arm/disarm code (e.g. normal code = 1234, one plus duress code =
1235).
EE. Panic Alarm means an Alarm System signal generated by the
manual activation of a device intended to signal a life threatening or emergency
situation requiring an officer's response.
FF. Permit Number means a unique individual number assigned to an
Alarm User as part of the registration of their Alarm Permit issued by the Police
Department.
GG. Person means an individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, association, organization or similar entity.
HH. Police unless the context indicates otherwise, or Police
Department means the Auburn Police Department,.
II. Protective or Reactive Alarm System means an Alarm System that
produces a temporary disability or sensory deprivation through use of chemical,
------------------------------
Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 5 of 25
electrical sonic or other means including use of devices that obscure or disable
a Person's vision.
JJ Responsible Party means a Person capable of appearing at the
Alarm Site upon request who has access to the Alarm Site, the code to the
Alarm System and the authority to approve repairs to the Alarm System.
KK Robbery Alarm means an alarm signal generated by the manual or
automatic activation of a device or any system, device or mechanism on or near
the premises intended to signal that a robbery is in progress and that a Person is
in need of immediate police assistance in order to avoid bodily harm, injury or
death The term has the same general meaning as "Holdup Alarm or Duress
Alarm."
LL Securit rL Alarm License means the license issued by the Police
Department to an Alarm Installation Company or Monitoring Company to sell,
install monitor repair or replace Alarm Systems. The term does not include a
Business License issued by City of Auburn.
MM. SIA Control Panel Standard CP-01 means the ANSI -American
National Standard Institute-approved Security Industry Association -SIA CP-01
Control Panel Standard as may be updated from time to time, that details
recommended design features for security system control panels and their
associated arming and disarming devices to reduce the incidence of False
Alarms Control panels built and tested to this standard by Underwriters
Laboratory (UL) or other nationally recognized testing organizations are marked
as follows• "Design evaluated in accordance with SIA CP-01 Control Panel
Standard Features for False Alarm Reduction."
NN Takeover means the transaction or process by which an Alarm
User takes over control of an existing Alarm System which was previously
controlled by another Alarm User.
00 Zones mean a division of devices into which an Alarm System is
divided to indicate the general location from which an Alarm System signal is
transmitted. (Ord. 5716 § 1, 2002; Ord. 5682 § 1, 2002.)
9.30.020 ~ ~"~"~n~ui ~in~°n D°n~l~v f°° Administration; Funding; Increases in
fees; Annual Evaluation.
A.
Responsibility for administration of this section is vested with the Chief of
Police.
B The Chief of Police shall designate an Alarm Administrator to carry
out the duties and functions described in this section.
Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 6 of 25
C. Monies generated by False Alarm fees and permit fees assessed
pursuant to this chapter shall be dedicated for use by the Police Department for
the administration of the provisions of this chapter.
D. The fees set forth in this chapter shall be included in the City of
Auburn Fee Schedule and may thereafter be modified by City Council
amendment to the City of Auburn Fee Schedule. For purposes of this
subsection, "fees" include any type or class of fee and includes late fees.
E. The Alarm Administrator shall conduct an annual evaluation and
analysis of the effectiveness of this section and identify and implement
administrative system improvements as warranted, and shall recommend to the
Chief of Police, Mayor and City Council suggested changes to the Auburn City
Code as warranted. (Ord. 5716 § 1, 2002; Ord. 5682 § 1, 2002.)
9.30.030 n~R n+ roe~nnr,c•ihir+., G~il~~~ "~~e Alarm
Permits Required; Terms; Fees and Fee Collection.
Tho ni+~i ohnll nn+ifii +hc n~r+~i rn~nnn~ihlc fnr ,q~.lilLlp---Li-te-FAtrJ~
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fire nr n+her erv+orncnnv ree.r.nnc o rcnnrr+e of +ho nri~r f.-.lon ~+Ir+rm A. An
Alarm User shall not operate, or cause to be operated, any Alarm System
without a valid Alarm Permit. A separate Alarm Permit is required for each Alarm
Site having a distinct address or business name. No Alarm Svstem shall be
activated until a Permit Fee and a completed Alarm Permit application for that
Alarm System has been received and approved by the Alarm Administrator.
B. Owners of Local Alarm Systems are required to adhere to all
sections of this ordinance and are subject to all fees, service fees, suspensions,
penalties or other requirements that are applicable.
C. The fee for a new initial Alarm Permit shall be collected by the
Alarm Installation Company and an Alarm Permit renewal fee shall be collected
y the Alarm Agreement holding_company and remitted to the City.
D. Existing Security Alarm Systems:
1. Any security Alarm System which has been installed before the
effective date of this Ordinance shall be registered and a permit fee collected by
the Alarm Agreement holding company within 60 days after such effective date.
Ninety days prior to the effective date of this chapter, each alarm company with
monitored accounts shall provide the Alarm Administrator with a complete list of
active customers in the City of Auburn to assist the Alarm Administrator with
creating and maintaining tracking data. The customer data shall be provided
electronically in a format acceptable to the Alarm Administrator and shall include
the customer name, alarm site address, billing address, and phone number.
Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 7 of 25
Addresses must be in a Coding Accuracy Support System (CABS) Certified
format.
2 The Alarm Agreement holding company may through a mutual
written agreement have another Alarm Company provide the Alarm User's list
and collect the Permit fee.
3 Failure to comply within thirty (30) days after being notified in
writing from the Alarm Administrator will result in a fee of $50.00 per business
day until the Alarm Agreement holding company complies with this requirement.
Failure to comply after ten (10) business days will result in the suspension of the
company's Security Alarm License The City shall assess a reinstatement fee of
X100 00 and an additional fee of $10 00 per permitted Alarm User if users have
been notified of the suspension in accordance with Sections 9.30.090 and
9.30.120 of the City Code.
E. New Security Alarm Systems:
1 Any Alarm Installation Company that installs a security Alarm
System on premises located within the City limits of Auburn shall notify the Alarm
Administrator that a security Alarm System has been installed and send the
Alarm Administrator the required information as listed in the Alarm Permit
Application section (6) including the appropriate registration permit fee collected
from the Alarm User.
2 Failure of an Alarm Installation Company to notify -the Alarm
Administrator of a new security Alarm System installation prior to the system's
activation shall result in a $100 00 fee to the Alarm Installation Company.
3 The initial Alarm Permit Registration fee must be submitted to the
Alarm Administrator at the same time as the registration application or an Alarm
System Takeover.
4 It shall be the responsibility of the Alarm Installation Company to
forward to the Alarm Administrator the application completed by the Alarm User,
the notice of a new system and the appropriate Permit fees within seven (7) days
of installation.
F Alarm Registration Permit and Renewal Fees:
1 An Alarm Registration shall expire one year from the date of
issuance and must be renewed annually by the Alarm Agreement holding
companYby submitting an updated application and a registration permit renewal
fee to the Alarm Administrator The Alarm Administrator shall notify the Alarm
Agreement holding company of the need to renew their registered customers
within a reasonable timeframe as determined by the Alarm Administrator, prior
to the expiration of the registration on a monthly basis. It is the responsibility of
the Alarm Agreement holding company to submit the updated information and
renewal fees prior to the registration expiration date. Failure to renew shall be
classified as use of anon-registered security Alarm System and subject the
Alarm Site to a suspension and late fees.
2 Registration Permit Fees shall be collected annually based on a
one year permit period Permit and Renewal Fees required are:
------------------------------
Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 8 of 25
Annual
Residential $24.00
Commercial $24.00
Residential Low Income Senior/Citizen Disabled Citizen $12.00
3. In order to qualify for the Residential Low Income Senior
Citizen/Disabled Citizen rate, applicants shall meet the criternia called for to
qualify for the City's Low Income Senior Citizen/Disabled Citizen utility discount,
per Section 13.24.010 of the City Code, be listed as the property owner or
lessee and shall have the Alarm Agreement in his or her name. This
Residential Low Income Senior Citizen/Disabled Citizen rate option applies only
to residential Alarm Sites.
G. Late fee. Alarm Agreement holding companies who fail to make
payment for an Alarm Permit prior to the registration expiration date will be
assessed a late fee in the amount of $25.00.
H. Refunds. No refund of a permit or permit renewal fee will be
made.
I. Any Alarm Installation Company that installs or activates an Alarm
System on premises within the City after the effective date of this ordinance shall
have the Alarm User complete a Customer False Alarm Prevention Checklist and
the installer shall complete an Alarm Installer Checklist. The Alarm Installation
Company shall keep on file the completed checklist for up to one year after the
activation of the Alarm System. Failure to complete the required checklists shall
result in a $100.00 administrative fee per incident against the Alarm Installation
Company.
J. Upon receipt of a completed Alarm Permit application form and the
Alarm Permit fee the Alarm Administrator shall issue a permit or permit renewal
to the applicant unless:
1. The applicant has failed to pay any fee assessed under this
chapter; or
2. An Alarm Permit for the Alarm Site has been suspended, and the
condition causing the suspension has not been corrected; or
3. The Alarm Installation Company and/or the Monitoring Company
listed on the permit application do not have a current valid Security Alarm
License issued by the Police Department.
4. Any false statement of a material fact made by an applicant for the
purpose of obtaining an Alarm Registration shall be sufficient cause for refusal to
issue a registration Alarm Permit.
K. Upon receipt of the permit application form and fee, the Alarm
Administrator shall issue a permit and Permit Number to the Alarm User and
their Monitoring Company which is valid one near. Renewal permits are valid for
a one year period.
L. Permit Number. A valid Permit Number for the Alarm Site is
required for each request for a burglar alarm dispatch. A burglar alarm request
without a valid Permit Number shall not be accepted for a police dispatch.
------------------------------
Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 9 of 25
M. Exceptions.
1. Government entities, including but not necessarily limited to the
City of Auburn, County, State, Federal and the School District, must obtain
permits for all alarm systems on property under their control within the corporate
boundaries of the City of Auburn, but are exempt from payment of permit and
renewal fees.
2. All permit fee exempted alarm sites are required to obtain and
maintain a valid Alarm Permit for police response and are subjected to all other
fees and suspension enforcements. (Ord. 5716 § 1, 2002; Ord. 5682 § 1, 2002.)
9.30.040 Permit Application; Contents.
An application for an Alarm Permit must be on a form provided by the
Police Department and must contain the following information:
A. The name complete address, including apartment or suite number,
and telephone numbers of the Person who will be the holder of the permit and be
responsible for the proper maintenance and operation of the Alarm System and
payment of fees assessed under this subsection;
B. The physical address and classification of the Alarm Site as either
residential (includes apartment, condo, mobile home, etc.) or commercial;
C. The classification of the Alarm System (i.e. burglary, holdup,
duress Panic Alarm or other) for each Alarm System located at the Alarm Site,
and for each classification, whether the alarm is audible or silent;
D. The applicant's mailing address, if different from the address of the
Alarm Site;
E. Any dangerous or special conditions present at the Alarm Site such
as guard dogs or Protective or Reactive Alarm System;
F. A written notice from the Alarm User setting forth the following:
1 The date of installation conversion or takeover of the Alarm
System, whichever is applicable;
2. The name address and telephone number of the Alarm
Installation Company or companies performing the Alarm System installation,
conversion or takeover and of the Alarm Installation Company responsible for
providing repair service to the Alarm System;
3. The name address and telephone number of the Monitoring
Company if different from the Alarm Installation Company;
4. That a set of written operating instructions for the Alarm System,
including written guidelines on how to avoid False Alarms, have been left with
the applicant by the Alarm Installation Company; and
5. That the Alarm Installation Company has trained the applicant in
proper use of the Alarm System including instructions on how to avoid False
Alarms.
G. An acknowledgement that the police response may be influenced
by factors including but not limited to, the availability of officers, priority of calls,
Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 10 of 25
traffic conditions weather conditions emergencyconditions, prior alarm history,
administrative actions and staffing levels.
9.30.050 Transfer of Permit Prohibited.
A An Alarm Permit cannot be transferred to another Person or Alarm
Site An Alarm User shall inform the Alarm Administrator of any change to the
information listed on the Alarm Permit application within ten (10) business days
after such change.
B Exceptions may be made in the discretion of the Alarm
Administrator when the transfer proposed is among members of the family of the
original permit holder or successors in interest to the property for which the
permit has been issued.
9.30.060 Duties of Alarm Users.
A. An Alarm User shall:
1 Maintain the Alarm Site and the Alarm System in a manner that will
minimize or eliminate False Alarms;
2 Make every reasonable effort to arrive at the Alarm System's
location within 30 minutes after being requested by the Monitoring Company or
Police Department in order to:
(a) Deactivate an Alarm System;
fib) Provide access to the Alarm Site; and/or
~c) Provide alternative security for the Alarm Site.
3 Provide your alarm company with the updated names and
telephone numbers of at least two individuals who are able and have agreed to:
(a) Receive notification of an Alarm System activation at any time;
fib) Respond to the Alarm Site at any time; and
(c) Provide access to the Alarm Site and deactivate the Alarm System,
if necessary.
4 Not activate an Alarm System for any reason other than an
occurrence of an event that the Alarm System was intended to report.
B No Person shall operate or cause to be operated any automatic
dialing device which when activated uses a telephone device or attachment to
automatically dial a telephone line leading into the Police Department or the City
and then transmit any pre-recorded message or signal. An administrative fee of
$100.00 per incident will be accessed.
C An Alarm User shall keep a set of written operating instructions for
each Alarm System at each Alarm Site.
D All Alarm Users shall agree with their Alarm Installation Company
or Monitoring Company to go through an "acclimation period" for the first seven
~7) days after activation of a Burglar Alarm System during which time the Alarm
Installation Company or Monitoring Company will have no obligation to respond
to nor will it respond to any alarm signal from the Alarm Site, or make an Alarm
Dispatch Request to a police response agency even if the alarm signal is the
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Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 11 of 25
result of an actual alarm event. Exceptions to the "acclimation period" of non-
response can be made by the Police Department in special circumstances,
including but not limited to, domestic violence and stalking.
E. An alarm user shall have an alarm installation company inspect the
alarm system after two false alarms in their one-year permit period to modify the
alarm system to be more false-alarm-resistant or provide additional user training
as appropriate.
9.30.070 Audible Alarms• Restrictions Disconnects.
A. After the effective date of this Ordinance no Alarm System shall be
installed modified or repaired for use within the City of Auburn that has a siren,
bell or other audible signal that is audible from any property adjacent to the
Alarm Site that sounds for longer than ten (10) consecutive minutes after the
alarm is activated, or that repeats separate audible cycles more than three times
from a single alarm arming event within any two-hour period. An administrative
fee of $100.00 per incident will be assessed for each event of an alarm sounding
for longer than ten (10) consecutive minutes after the alarm is activated, or for
repeated separate audible cycles of more than three times from a single alarm
arming event within any two-hour period.
B. Audible alarm systems may be disconnected by the City through
the use of any means reasonable and necessary if the alarm does not
automatically shut off as described in subsection 9.30.070(A). The City or its
employees or agents shall not be responsible or liable for damage resulting from
such disconnection.
9.30.080 Duties of Alarm Installation Companies and Monitoring Companies.
A. Each Alarm Installation Company and Alarm Monitoring Company
must designate one individual as the Alarm Response Manager (ARM) for the
company. The individual designated as the ARM must be knowledgeable of the
provisions of this section as well as have the knowledge and authority to deal
with False Alarm issues and respond to requests from the Alarm Administrator.
The name contact number, and email address of the ARM shall be provided to
the Alarm Administrator. Failure to designate an ARM within thirty (30~ys
after being notified in writing from the Alarm Administrator may result in the
suspension of the company's Security Alarm License. The City shall assess a
reinstatement fee of $100.00 and an additional fee of $10.00 per permitted user,
if users have been notified of the suspension in accordance with Sections
9.30.090 and 9.30.120 of the City Code.
B. Upon the installation or activation of an Alarm System, Alarm
Installation Companies shall distribute to the Alarm User information
summarizing:
1. The requirements of this Ordinance relating to False Alarms;
2. The Permit Fee requirements and the potential for service fees and
suspension of an Alarm Permit, and
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Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 12 of 25
3. Strategies on how to prevent False Alarms, and proper operation of
the Alarm System.
C. After the effective date of this Ordinance, Alarm Installation
Companies shall not program Alarm Systems so that they are capable of
sending One Plus Duress Alarms. Monitoring companies may continue to report
One Plus Duress Alarms received from Alarm Systems programmed with One
Plus Duress Alarms installed prior to the effective date of this ordinance.
D. Upon the effective date of this Ordinance, Alarm Installation
Companies shall not install modify or repair "single action" devices for the
activation of Duress Hold-up Robbery or Panic Alarms. New devices shall
require two actions or an activation delay to provide more positive assurance
that the user intends to activate the device.
E. Ninety days after the effective date of this ordinance, an Alarm
Installation Company shall on new installations, use only alarm control panel(s)
which meet ANSI/SIA CP-01-Control Panel Standard -Features for False Alarm
Reduction.
F. An Alarm Company shall not use an automatic voice dialer for any
Alarm System which when activated uses a telephone device or attachment to
automatically dial a telephone line leading into the Police Department or the City
and then transmit any pre-recorded message or signal. An administrative fee of
$100.00 per incident shall be accessed.
G. After completion of the installation of an Alarm System, an
employee of the Alarm Installation Company shall review with the Alarm User the
Customer False Alarm Prevention Checklist or an equivalent checklist approved
the Alarm Administrator. The installer shall complete the Alarm Installer
Checklist.
H. Ensure that all Alarm Users of Alarm Systems equipped with a
duress robbery holdup or Panic Alarm has been provided adequate training as
to the proper use of the alarm.
I. Each Installation Company must maintain, for a period of at least
one year after the date of installation or activation of an Alarm System both the
completed Alarm Installer Checklist and the Customer False Alarm Prevention
Checklist. The Alarm Administrator may request copies of such records for any
individual Alarm User. If the request is made within 60 days after the Alarm
System's activation the Alarm Installation Company shall furnish requested
records within three (3) business days after receiving the request. If the records
are requested between sixty (60Zdays and one (1) year after the Alarm System's
activation the Alarm Installation Company shall furnish the requested records
within thirty (30) days after receiving the request. Failure to comply with this
subsection will incur a $50.00 service fee.
J. Monitoring Company Requirements. The Monitoring Company
Requirements include the following:
1. A Monitoring Company shall not make an Alarm Dispatch Request
to a Burglar Alarm signal during the first seven-day "acclimation period" after a
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Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 13 of 25
Burqlar Alarm System installation or activation. A Monitoring Company may
make an Alarm Dispatch Request for aHold-up, Duress, Robbery, or Panic
Alarm. Exceptions to the "acclimation period" of non-response can be made by
the Police Department in special circumstances, including but not limited to,
domestic violence and stalking.
2. Report alarm signals by using telephone numbers designated by
the Alarm Administrator.
3. Employ Enhanced Call Verification and Burglar Alarm Confirmation
on all Burqlar Alarm. Dispatch Request. The Auburn Police Department may
refuse to accept an Alarm Dispatch Request from a Monitoring Company that
has failed to comply with the procedures required by Enhanced Call Verification
and Burglar Alarm Confirmation.
4. Communicate Alarm Dispatch Requests to the Police Department
in a manner and form determined by the Alarm Administrator.
(a) A valid Permit Number is required for all alarm requests. Failure to
provide a valid Permit Number shall result in the call request not being accepted
for a police dispatch.
(b) Provide zone(s) activation information as part of the Sequential
Verification process within the Burglar Alarm Confirmation procedures.
5. Communicate Cancellations to the Police Department in a manner
and form determined by the Alarm Administrator.
6. Communicate any available information (north, south, front, back,
door window etc.) about the location of an alarm signal(s) as part of an Alarm
Dispatch Request.
7. Communicate the type of alarm activation (silent or audible, interior
or perimeter) if available, on any Alarm Dispatch Request.
8. Notify Communications (Dispatch) of any Alarm Site that it knows,
or reasonably should know has guard dog(s) or is fitted with a Protective or
Reactive Alarm System. During any alarm at such a site, a Responsible Party
must be contacted and confirm that he or she will respond to the Alarm Site to
disarm the device or take control of the guard dog(s). In all cases where a guard
dog or a protective-reactive device is present at an Alarm Site, the police
dispatch request shall include a warning for officers not to enter the Alarm Site
until the Responsible Party is present and has disarmed the device or taken
control the guard dog(s).
9. After an Alarm Dispatch Request, promptly advise the Police
Department if the Monitoring Company knows that the Alarm User or a
Responsible Party is on the way to the Alarm Site;
10. Each Monitoring Company must maintain, for a period of at least
one year after the date of an Alarm Dispatch Request, all records relating to the
Alarm Dispatch Request. Records must include the name, address and
telephone number of the Alarm User, each Alarm System zone activated, the
time of Alarm Dispatch Request and evidence of all attempts to verify. The
Alarm Administrator may request copies of such records for any individual Alarm
Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 14 of 25
User If the request is made within sixty (60) days after an Alarm Dispatch
Request the Monitoring Company shall furnish requested records within three
(3) business days after receiving the request If the records are requested
between sixty (60) days and one (1) year after an Alarm Dispatch Request, the
Monitoring Company shall furnish the requested records within thirty (30) days
after receiving the request Failure to comply with this subsection will incur a
$50 00 service fee per request.
11 Each Monitoring Company shall upon request, immediately
provide the Police Department with the names and phone numbers of the AI_arm
User's emergency contacts at the time of each Alarm Dispatch Request.
K Conversion of Alarm Users An Alarm Installation Company or
Monitoring Company that converts the servicing of any Alarm System account
from another company shall notify the Alarm Administrator of such conversion
and shall provide to the Alarm Administrator within thirty (30) days from the date
of conversion an Alarm User List of the converted accounts m a format
acceptable to the Alarm Administrator that includes the following:
1. Permit Number.
2. Customer name.
3 Customer billing address.
4 Customer. telephone number.
5. Alarm Site address.
6 Alarm Installation Company license number.
7 Monitoring Company License number.
L The customer lists described in subsection 9.30.080(D) above may
include confidential information that may be protected from disclosure pursuant
to state law.
M Failure to provide Alarm User Lists to the Alarm Administrator, as
required in subsection (4) above will result in a fee of $50 00 per business day
until the Alarm Installation Company or Monitoring Company complies with the
requirement Failure to comply after ten (10) business days will result m the
suspension of the company's Security Alarm License The City will assess a
reinstatement fee of $100 00 and an additional fee of $10.00 per permitted user,
if users have been notified of the suspension in accordance with Sections
9 30 090 and 9.30.120 of the City Code.
N Disconnected alarm users An Alarm Installation Company or Alarm
Monitoring Company that holds the Alarm Agreement shall notify the Alarm
Administrator once a month of all alarm customers within the limits of the City of
Auburn that have discontinued their alarm service with the company.
9 30 090 Special Licensing of Alarm Installation and Monitoring Companies.
A Every Alarm Installation Com pany and every alarm Monitoring
Company shall obtain an Auburn Securit y Alarm License from the Police
Department and pay an annual prorated fee of $10.00 per each of their
registered Alarm Users in the City up to a maximum pay ment of $100.00.
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Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 15 of 25
Failure to pay the annual fee within 30 days after notice shall result in a late fee
of 25.00.
B. The Security Alarm License required by this section must be
obtained prior to or contemporaneous with the issuance or renewal of a
Business License for the period of time covered by the Security Alarm License, if
applicable.
C. The Alarm Installation Company shall provide the name, address
and phone number of any Monitoring Company that they are using to monitor
their Alarm Sites within the City and Monitoring Companies shall do the same for
Alarm Installation Companies that they monitor Alarm Sites for that are within the
City.
D. If an person, firm, entity or company does not have or maintain a
current, valid Security Alarm License issued pursuant to this section, it shall be
presumed that the person, firm, entity or company does not have need of alarm
responses from the Police Department. Depending on the circumstances, the
Police Department may or may not respond to any Alarm Dispatch Request from
any Alarm Installation Company or Monitoring Company that does not possess a
current, valid Security Alarm License issued pursuant to this section.
E. The Alarm Administrator shall notify all known Alarm Users
subscribing to an unlicensed Alarm Installation Company or an unlicensed alarm
Monitoring Company that the company is unlicensed and that the Police
Department will no longer respond to the user's alarms. The City will assess the
Alarm Installation Company or Monitoring Company a reinstatement fee of
$100.00 and an additional fee of $10.00 per permitted user, if users have been
notified.
F. The fee imposed by this Section shall be in addition to the
Business License fee and all other applicable fees levied by the City.
9.30.100 Duties and Authority of the Alarm Administrator.
A. The Alarm Administrator shall:
1. Designate the manner and form of Alarm Dispatch Requests and
the telephone numbers to be used for such requests; and
2. Establish a procedure to accept Cancellation of Alarm Dispatch
Requests.
B. The Alarm Administrator shall establish a procedure to acquire and
record information on Alarm Dispatch Requests including the following
information:
1. Identification of the Alarm Site by address, apartment number, unit
number suite number and Business name or last name
2. The date and time Alarm Dispatch Request was received, including
the name of the Monitoring Company and the Monitoring operator's name or
number;
3 Date and time of an officer's arrival at the Alarm Site and
4. The alarm zone(s) and zone description.
Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 16 of 25
C. The Alarm Administrator shall establish and implement a procedure
to notify the Alarm User of a False Alarm. The notice shall include the following:
1. The date and time of an officer's response to the False Alarm; and
2. A statement urging the Alarm User to ensure that the Alarm
System is properly operated, inspected, and serviced in order to avoid False
Alarms and resulting False Alarm fees.
3. Any False Alarm fees incurred.
D. The Alarm Administrator may require that a conference be held
with an Alarm User and the Alarm Installation Company or Monitoring Company
responsible for repairing or Monitoring of the Alarm System to review the
circumstances of each False Alarm. The conference may be held in person or
through a conference telephone call, at the Alarm Administrator's discretion.
Failure to participate will result in suspension of the Alarm Permit or the Security
Alarm License or both as indicated by the facts of the case. Reinstatement after
compliance will require payment of permit reinstatement fees in accordance with
Sections 9.30.030, 9.30.080, 9.30.090 and 9.30.150 of the City Code.
E. The Alarm Administrator may establish an Alarm User Awareness
Class. The Alarm Administrator may request the assistance of associations,
alarm companies and law enforcement agencies in developing and implementing
the class. The class shall inform Alarm Users of the Alarm Ordinance; problems
created by False Alarms and teach Alarm Users how to avoid creating False
Alarms. The Awareness Class can be an electronic on-line school.
F. If a false Robbery, Holdup or Panic Alarm has occurred and the
alarm was triggered using a single action, non-recessed device, the Alarm
Administrator may consider a waiver or partial waiver of the False Alarm fee, if
action is taken by the Alarm User to remove or replace the single action, non-
recessed device.
G. The Alarm Administrator will make a copy of this ordinance and/or
an ordinance summary sheet available to each Alarm User.
9 30 110 False Alarm Fees Service Fees Late Fees.
A. False Alarm Service Fees. An Alarm User shall pay the following
fees to the Alarm Administrator for police response to any False Alarm during
their one year permit period:
1. Burglar False Alarm Service Fee: $100.00 for each False Alarm
except as provided in subsection 9.30.110(K) of this Section; and
2. Robbery Panic and Burglary Crime in Progress False Alarm Fees:
$200.00 for each False Alarm except as provided in subsection 9.30.110(K) of
this Section.
B. If a False Alarm fee is not paid within thirty (30) days after the
invoice is mailed, a late fee in the amount of $25.00 will be imposed.
C. Fees for False Alarms by Non-permitted Alarm Systems. In
addition to the fees set forth in subsections 9.30.110(A) and (B), a supplemental
Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 17 of 25
fee shall be imposed upon any person, firm, enti~ or company operating aNon-
permitted Alarm System in the amount of $200.00 for each False Alarm.
D. Any Monitoring Company requesting an Alarm Dispatch Request
for aNon-permitted Alarm System shall pay an administration fee of $100.00 per
incident. If the fee is not paid within thirty (30) days after the invoice is mailed, a
late fee in the amount of $25.00 is hereby imposed on the Monitoring Company.
E. If Cancellation of police response occurs prior to the Police
Officer's arrival at the Alarm Site, the response is not considered a False Alarm
and no fee will be assessed.
F. The Alarm Installation Company shall be assessed a fee of
$100.00 if the officer responding to the False Alarm determines that an
employee of the Alarm Installation Company directly caused the False Alarm.
Such False Alarms are not included in the total number of False Alarms for the
Alarm User.
G. A fee of $100.00 is hereby imposed against any Monitoring
Company that fails to verify Alarm System signals as required in subsection
9.30.080(C)(3~
H. A fee in the amount of $200.00 is hereby imposed against an
Alarm Installation Company if the Alarm Administrator determines that an
employee of the Alarm Installation Company knowingly or recklessly made a
false statement concerning_ the inspection of an Alarm Site or the performance of
an Alarm System.
I. Notice of the right of appeal under this ordinance will be included
with notice of any fee.
J. All registration fees renewal registration fees, service fees or fines
accessed under this section are due within thirty (30) days of written notice
unless otherwise noted. A late fee of $25.00 shall be accessed for each
individual registration fee due and all other fees due that are not paid within thirty
30 da s.
K. In order to provide an educational period prior to the application of
the fees for every false alarm as set forth in subsections 9.30.110(A) (1) and (2)
of this Section the fees for such false alarms shall not be imposed for the first
false alarm for any alarm system during the first six month period following the
adoption of this Ordinance.
9.30.120 Notice to Alarm Users of False Alarms and Suspension of Police
Response.
A. The Alarm Administrator shall notify the Alarm User in writing after
each False Alarm. The notice shall include either a warning or the amount of the
fee for the False Alarm the fact that response will be suspended after the third
False Alarm during the one year permit period, (excluding Duress, Robbery,
Holdup and Panic Alarms and a description of the appeals procedure available
to the Alarm User.
Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 18 of 25
B The Alarm Administrator shall notify the Alarm User in writing and
the appropriate alarm installation company or monitoring company by electronic
mail thirty (30) days before an alarm response is to be suspended. The right of
appeal under this ordinance will be included with the notice. Suspension of alarm
response in this subsection does not apply to Duress Robbery, Holdup and
Panic Alarms The notice of suspension must also include any fee due and a
description of the appeals procedure available to the Alarm User and/or the
Alarm Installation Company or Monitoring Company.
9 30 130 Violation of Making Alarm Dispatch Request for Suspended Alarm
Site.
A The Alarm Administrator shall notify the Police Department of each
Alarm User whose Alarm Permit warrants suspension under the terms of this
Chapter The Alarm Administrator shall suspend an Alarm Permit if it is
determined that:
1 The Alarm User has had three or more false burglary alarms within
the one year permit period except that the Alarm Administrator may waive a
suspension of a hermit upon receipt of documented work orders showing
reasonable attempts to repair the Alarm System prior to the notice of
suspension The Alarm Administrator may impose a one (1) week acclimation
period upon reinstatement of the permit.
2 There is a false statement of a material fact in the application for a
permit; or
3 The Alarm User fails or refuses to pay a Permit or Permit Renewal
fee False Alarm fee or late fee assessed under this section.
B It is a violation of this section for any person, firm, entity or
company_to operate a Burglar Alarm System during the period in which the
Alarm Permit is suspended It is a violation of this section for a Monitoring
Company to make an Alarm Dispatch Request to a Burglar Alarm Site after the
Monitoring Company's Alarm Response Manager (ARM) has been notified by
electronic mail by the Alarm Administrator that the permit for that Alarm Site has
been suspended After three (3) business days of the ARM's notification the
Monitoring Company shall be assessed a $100.00 fee for the first dispatch report
and $200 00 for each dispatch request thereafter within the same suspension
period If the fee is not paid within thirty (30) days after the invoice is mailed, a
late fee in the amount of $25 00 is hereby imposed on the Monitoring Company.
C If a person firm entitYor company_allows his/her/its Security Alarm
License to laps or be suspended unless an appeal has been timely filed, it shall
be presumed that the person firm entity or company does not have need of
alarm responses from the Police Department. Depending on the circumstances,
the Police Department may or may not respond to any Alarm Dispatch Request
from any Alarm Installation Company or Monitoring Company where the Security
Alarm License is lapsed or suspended unless there is a separate indication that
there is a crime in progress.
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Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 19 of 25
9.30.140 Appeals of Determinations Regarding Alarm Permits, Securitv
Alarm License and Fees.
A. If the Alarm Administrator assesses a fee, suspends an Alarm
Permit, Securitv Alarm License or denies the issuance, renewal or reinstatement
of an Alarm Permit or Security Alarm License, the Alarm Administrator shall send
written notice of the action and a statement of the right to appeal to the affected
applicant, Alarm User, Alarm Installation Company or Alarm Monitoring
Compan rL.
B. The Alarm User, Alarm Installation Company or Alarm Monitoring
Company or other interested party may appeal any action described in (1) above
to the Chief of Police or designee by setting forth in writing the reasons for the
appeal and delivering the appeal to the Chief of Police or designee within twenty
X20) business days after receipt of notice of the action. Failure to deliver the
appeal within that time period is a waiver of the right to appeal.
C. The procedure for an appeal to the Chief of Police or designee is
as follows:
1. The applicant, Alarm User, Alarm Installation Company or
Monitoring Company may file a written request for appeal by paying an appeal
fee of $25.00 to the Police Department and setting forth the reasons for the
appeal. The appeal must be entitled "Appeal from Alarm Administrator's Action."
Appeal fees will be returned to the appealingparty if the appeal is successful.
2. The Chief of Police or designee shall conduct a hearing within thirty
X30) days after receipt of the request for review and shall consider the evidence
submitted by the appealing party and the Alarm Administrator. The Chief of
Police or designee must base the decision on the preponderance of evidence
presented at the hearing and must render a decision within fifteen (15) days after
the date of the hearing. The decision shall affirm or reverse the decision or
action taken by the Alarm Administrator.
3. An rL person aggrieved by the decision of the Chief of Police or
designee may appeal in accordance with the procedure set forth in Section
18.70.050 of the Auburn City Code.
4. Filing of an appeal stays any action by the Alarm Administrator to
suspend an Alarm Permit or require the payment of a fee until the appeal
process has been exhausted. This provision applies only to the action of the
Alarm Administrator that is the subject of the appeal. This provision does not
operate as a bar to enforcement action on violations of this section that occur
thereafter.
D. The Alarm Administrator or the Chief of Police, or their respective
designees, may adjust the count of False Alarms or assessed fees based on:
1. Evidence that a False Alarm was caused by action of a
communications services provider (i.e. telephone, cellular, cable company);
2. Evidence that a False Alarm was caused by a power outage of
more than four (4) hours or severe weather such as a tornado or earthquake;
Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 20 of 25
3. Evidence that an Alarm Dispatch Request was not a False Alarm;
or
4. The occurrence of multiple alarms within in a 24 hour period, which
may be considered as one False Alarm if the Alarm User has taken corrective
action, unless the False Alarms are directly caused by the Alarm User.
E. The Alarm Administrator may waive all of a False Alarm fee or a
partial part of the fee due to extenuating circumstances or to encourage
corrective action.
F. On review of fees assessed to an Alarm Installation Company or
Monitoring Company, the Alarm Administrator, or, if appealed, Chief of Police, or
designee, or the administrative hearing officer, may consider whether the Alarm
Installation Company or Monitoring Company has engaged in a consistent
pattern of violations.
9.30.150 Reinstatement of Suspended Alarm Permits.
A. On the first suspension of a permit, a person, firm, entity or
company whose Alarm Permit has been suspended may obtain reinstatement of
the permit by the Alarm Administrator if the person, firm, entity or company:
1. Submits a new application and pans a $50.00 reinstatement fee;
2. Pays, or otherwise resolves, all outstanding fees and penalties;
3. Submits a written notice from an Alarm Installation Company
stating that the Alarm System has been inspected and repaired (if necessary) by
the Alarm Installation Company; and
4. The Alarm User successfully completes an electronic on-line alarm
awareness class and test.
B. On the second and every subsequent suspension of a permit,
reinstatement may be obtained by compliance with subsection 9.30.150(A)
above and compliance with any of the following conditions that the Alarm
Administrator may require:
1. Proof that an employee of the Alarm Installation Company or
Monitoring Company caused the False Alarm.
2. Upgrade the alarm control panel to meet SIA Control Panel
Standard CP-01.
3. A written statement from an independent inspector designated by
the Chief of Police or his designee that the Alarm System has been inspected
and is in good working order.
4. Confirmation that all motion detectors are properly configured.
5. Confirmation that the Alarm System requires two independent
zones to trigger before transmitting an alarm signal to the Monitoring Company.
6. Confirmation that the Alarm System requires two independent
detectors to tripper before transmitting an alarm signal to the Monitoring
Company
Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 21 of 25
7. Certification that the Monitoring Company will not make an Alarm
Dispatch Request unless the need for an officer is confirmed by a listen-in
device. This condition does not apply to residential propert rL.
8. Certification that the Monitoring Company will not make an Alarm
Dispatch Request unless the need for an officer is confirmed by a camera
device. This condition does not apply to residential property.
9. Certification that the Monitoring Company will not make an Alarm
Dispatch Request unless the need for an officer is confirmed by a person at the
Alarm Site.
C. The Police Department shall reinstate its response to an Alarm Site
as soon as is practicable after receiving notice of reinstatement from the Alarm
Administrator. The Alarm User and Monitoring Company shall take notice that
the Alarm Site has been officially reinstated only after receiving notice from the
Alarm Administrator of that fact.
9.30.160 Suspension of Police Response to an Alarm Site.
A. In addition to the provisions in this Chapter relating to lapsed,
invalid and suspended Security Alarm License, following reasonable notice to
the Alarm User, as determined by the Chief of Police or designee, the Chief of
Police or designee may suspend police responses to an Alarm Site if he/she
determines that:
1. There is a violation of this chapter by the Alarm User; and/or
2. There is a false statement of a material fact in the application for a
permit; and/or
3. The permitted Alarm System has generated more than 3 False
Alarms during any permit period; and/or
4. The Alarm User has failed to pay an Alarm Permit fee or late fee, a
late renewal fee or any fee assessed under this section, more than thirty (30)
days after the fee is due. This applies to all classifications of alarms including
burglary, panic, duress, hold-up and robbery.
5. Depending on the circumstances, the Police Department may or
may not respond to any alarm, where the Alarm Site is under suspension of
police response.
B. Actions made pursuant to this section are not subject to
administrative review.
C. The Chief of Police or designee may, for good cause shown, in
his/her sole discretion, reinstate police response that has been suspended
pursuant to this section.
9.30.170 Revocation of Security Alarm License
A. The Chief of Police or designee may revoke a Securit Affirm
License of an Alarm Installation Company or Monitoring Company if he
determines that:
Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 22 of 25
1. There is a violation of this chapter by the Alarm Installation
Company or Monitoring Company and/or;
2. The Alarm Installation Company or Monitoring Company has failed
to pay any fee assessed under this section, more than sixty (60) days after the
fee is due.
B. Depending on the circumstances, the Police Department may or
may not respond to any alarm, where the Alarm Installation Company or
Monitoring Company is under revocation.
C. A revocation made pursuant to this section is not subject to
administrative review.
D. The Chief of Police or designee may, for good cause shown,
reinstate a Security Alarm License that has been revoked pursuant to this
section. An administrative fee of $100.00 shall be assessed as part of a Security
Alarm License reinstatement.
9.30.180 Police Department Response.
A. The Police Department will endeavor to respond to all alarm calls
indicating that there is a Duress, Robbery, Panic or Burglar event "in progress"
as promptly as possible, taking into account pending calls for service and any
policy establishing priority of dispatched calls following notification of the receipt
of the alarm from the Monitoring Company. Police supervisors may cancel
police response to any or all alarms based on weather or other factors effecting
police service needs.
B. The Chief of Police or designee may re-prioritize assignment of
burglar alarms and response time at any time during a 24- hour period as may
be necessary due to the service needs of the community.
9.30.190 Confidentiality of Alarm Information.
The Alarm Administrator and the City of Auburn, and its/their employees,
shall endeavor to hold all information contained in documents gathered through
alarm registrations, customer lists and information in the alarm appeal process in
confidence to the extent provided by law. Such information shall be deemed
proprietary and confidential to the extent provided by law. Absent special
circumstances, such information must not be released to the public or any
,person other than a law enforcement agency, third party administrator or the
applicable Alarm User, Alarm Installation Company or alarm Monitoring
Company except pursuant to court order, or as required by law.
9.30.200 Scope of Police Duty; Immunities Preserved.
The issuance of Alarm Permits does not create a contract between the
Police Department and/or the City and any Alarm User, Alarm Installation
Company or Monitoring Company, nor does it create a duty or obligation, either
expressed or implied, on the Police Department to respond to any alarm. Any
and all liability and consequential damage resulting from the failure of the Police
Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 23 of 25
Department to respond to an Alarm Dispatch Request is hereby disclaimed and
full governmental immunity as provided by law is retained. By applying for an
Alarm Permit, the Alarm User acknowledges that the Police Department
response is influenced by the availability of officers, priority of calls, traffic
conditions, weather conditions, emergency conditions, staffing levels, prior
response history and administrative actions.
9.30.210 Alternate Enforcement.
In addition to the specific violations, fees and/or costs provided herein,
failure to comply with the requirements of this chapter shall constitute a civil
infraction punishable pursuant to Chapter 1.25 of the City Code. In any
prosecution of such infraction it shall be prima facie evidence of the violation that
the alarm system, at the same address and with the same owner or occupant,
had a prior false alarm as indicated by the police, fire or other emergency
response records of the prior false alarm. Additionally, failure to fail to pay the
fees imposed as set forth herein within twenty t20) calendar days of the notice
shall constitute a separate civil infraction punishable pursuant to Chapter 1.25 of
the City Code.
Section 2. Amendment to Fee Schedule. The City Clerk is directed
and authorized to insert in the City of Auburn Fee Schedule the fees set forth
herein and to delete their reference from the Sections herein to the extent
reasonable and consistent herewith, replacing such fee references with
references instead to the City of Auburn Fee Schedule.
Section 3. Implementation. The Mayor is hereby authorized to
implement such administrative procedures as may be necessary to carry out the
directions of this legislation.
Section 4. Severability. The provisions of this ordinance are declared
to be separate and severable. The invalidity of any clause, sentence, paragraph,
subdivision, section or portion of this ordinance, or the invalidity of the
application thereof to any person or circumstance shall not affect the validity of
the remainder of this ordinance, or the validity of its application to other persons
or circumstances. Ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the
extent of such conflict. This Ordinance shall take effect 30 days from the date of
publication after its second reading.
Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 24 of 25
Section 5. Effective date. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in
force five days from and after its passage, approval and publication as provided
by law.
INTRODUCED:
PASSED:
APPROVED:
PETER B. LEWIS, MAYOR
ATTEST:
Danielle E. Daskam, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Ordinance No. 6216
December 9, 2008
Page 25 of 25
Published: