§ 6-63. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Alarm administrator means the town manager or the person designated by him to administer, control and review false alarm reduction efforts for the town.

Alarm dispatch request means a notification to a law enforcement agency or public safety agency that an alarm, either manual or automatic has been activated at a particular alarm site.

Alarm site means a single fixed premises or location served by an alarm system. Each tenancy, if served by a separate alarm system in a multi-tenant building or complex, shall be considered a separate alarm site.

Alarm system means any electronic or mechanical device which emits any signal (electronic, visible, audible, silent, recorded or otherwise) which is designed, intended or used to detect an unauthorized entry into a building, structure, or premises, or to signal an attempted robbery, burglary or holdup. The term "alarm" shall be deemed to include any device which initiates a telephone call and delivers a recorded message to any emergency telephone number assigned to the communications center or by which a third party telephones any emergency telephone number and requests enforcement services on the basis of having received an automatic signal from a subscriber of an alarm service.

Alarm user means any person, corporation, partnership, proprietorship, governmental or educational entity who uses or is in control of any alarm system, or on whose premises an alarm system is maintained for the protection of such premises. In the case of a tenancy, the tenant shall be considered the sole alarm user at the alarm site.

Chief of police means the chief of police of the Town of Dobson or his designee.

False alarm means a deliberate or accidental alarm dispatch request when a situation requiring an immediate response does not in fact exist and the responding officer/agent finds no evidence of a criminal offense or attempted criminal offense or fire after having completed a timely investigation of the alarm site. An alarm is false within the meaning of this article when, upon inspection, evidence indicates that no circumstances exist in or on the premises which would have activated a properly functioning alarm system. An alarm is false if the alarm dispatch request results from mechanical or electronic failure, malfunction, or improper installation of the alarm system, or the negligence of the alarm user, his employees or agents. An alarm will not be considered false if the alarm was caused by:

(1)

A natural or manmade catastrophe or act of God or other similarly violent conditions.

(2)

Vandalism causing physical damage to the property.

(3)

Attempted entry of a location causing visible, physical, or other evidence of damage to the location which has caused the alarm to sound.

(4)

Severe weather or failure of electrical power not caused by the alarm user.

(5)

The test of a local alarm system by an authorized alarm agent or alarm company employee who is present at the premise inspecting, servicing, repairing, or installing the alarm.

An alarm dispatch request which is properly cancelled prior to the time the responding officer/agent reaches the alarm site shall not be considered a false alarm dispatch.

(Prior Code, § 8.14)