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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.a. Alarm Ordinancep CITY OF ROSEMOUNT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR ACTION CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: November 19, 1996 AGENDA ITEM: AGENDA SECTION: ALARM ORDINANCE NEW BUSINESS PREPARED BY: AGENDA IM REM A LT. D. K. KUHNS # 8 4+4 ATTACWWNTS: APPROVED BY: ORDINANCE DRAFT, RECOMMENDED FEE SCHEDULE .0, Since 1992 we have experienced a 53% increase in false alarms. IWn 1992 our department responded to 270 false alarms and expended an average of 18 minutes per alarm or 82 hours. In 1995 that number reached 414 alarms with the average time expended at 23 minutes or an annual total of 157 hours. The amount of time expended handling false alarms equates to having one officer out of service for one month out of the year. For City Council consideration is a proposed ordinance to regulate false alarms. The proposed ordinance will provide a permitting process and the ability to set permit fees through a resolution. Along with the reduction of police service time lost due to false alarm response, the wear and tear on equipment due to sometimes rapid response, and the liability potential which could be incurred must also be considered. Equipment, time and potential liability however cannot be the only considerations when looking at the effects of false alarms. The erosion of officer caution after numerous calls to a false alarm is a problem which cannot be immediately measured. This problem is one that can be of serious consequence to the safety of an officer. Tolerance of false alarms has become the problem. In order to correct it we must begin to treat it as we would any false report and work to eliminate it. False alarms that go unchecked only serve to perpetuate the problem. Elimination of this problem can be accomplished by providing consequences for frequent false alarms through permits. Alarm permits provide a mechanism by which law enforcement can track alarm use and enforce standards along with providing an incentive to the alarm user to monitor their system by testing, repairing, upgrading and maintaining them. Permits also produce revenue which can be used towards false alarm reduction and for crime prevention activities. RECOMMENDED ACTION: SINCE THIS IS THE FIRST READING, NO COUNCIL ACTION NECESSARY AT THIS TIME. COUNCIL ACTION: or CITY OF ROSEMOUNT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR ACTION CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: November 19, 1996 AGENDA ITEM: AGENDA SECTION: ALARM ORDINANCE NEW BUSINESS PREPARED BY: AGENDA (TE -M A LT. D.K. KUHNS # 81*A ATTACHMENTS: APPROVED BY: ORDINANCE DRAFT, RECOMMENDED FEE SCHEDULE '0' Since 1992 we have experienced a 53% increase in false alarms. 31n 1992 our department responded to 270 false alarms and expended an average of 18 minutes per alarm or 82 hours. In 1995 that number reached 414 alarms wifh the average time expended at 23 minutes or an annual total of 157 hours. The amount of time expended handling false alarms equates to having one officer out of service for one month out of the year. For City Council consideration is a proposed ordinance to regulate false alarms. The proposed ordinance will provide a permitting process and the ability to set permit fees through a resolution. Along with the reduction of police service time lost due to false alarm response, the wear and tear on equipment due to sometimes rapid response, and the liability potential which could be incurred must also be considered. Equipment, time and potential liability however cannot be the only considerations when looking at the effects of false alarms. The erosion of officer caution after numerous calls to a false alarm is a problem which cannot be immediately measured. This problem is one that can be of serious consequence to the safety of an officer. Tolerance of false alarms has become the problem. In order to correct it we must begin to treat it as we would any false report and work to eliminate it. False alarms that go unchecked only serve to perpetuate the problem. Elimination of this problem can be accomplished by providing consequences for frequent false alarms through permits. Alarm permits provide a mechanism by which law enforcement can track alarm use and enforce standards along with providing an incentive to the alarm user to monitor their system by testing, repairing, upgrading and maintaining them. Permits also produce revenue which can be used towards false alarm reduction and for crime prevention activities. RECOMMENDED ACTION: SINCE THIS IS THE FIRST READING, NO COUNCIL ACTION NECESSARY AT THIS TIME. COUNCIL ACTION: CITY OF ROSEMOUNT STATE OF MINNESOTA ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE REGULATING FALSE ALARMS TBE CITY COUNCIL OF TBE CITY OF ROSEMOUNT ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Rosemount City Code, Title 7, is amended by adding new Chapter 8, Sections 7-8-1 through 7-8-9 as follows: 7-8-1 Purpose The purpose of this ordinance is to preserve and protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Rosemount from the nuisance and negligent operation of alarm systems while providing the highest level of service to alarm users. 7-8-2 Definitions For the purpose of this Chapter, the following definitions shall apply: A. Alarm System: Any assembly of equipment or devices, either mechanically or electronically operated, which signals either audibly or in any other manner so as to be seen, heard, or otherwise detected outside the protected area serviced by the alarm system, that a robbery, burglary, medical emergency, act of vandalism or unauthorized entry has occurred, and which is intended to summon a response from police personnel. An automobile alarm device shall not be considered to be an alarm system under the terms of this chapter. B. Alarm User: A person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind in control of any building, structure, or facility in which an alarm system is maintained. C. Alarm User Permit: A permit issued biannually by the City of Rosemount, to the owner or other person in control of a building , structure, property, or any part thereof, located in the City who has leased, purchased, or otherwise possesses an alarm system for use on a property. This permit allows up to eight (8) false police alarms during the two year fife of the permit, but no more than four (4) false police alarms per year. D. Excessive Alarm User Pgrmit: A permit that is issued to an alarm user when the number of false alarms permitted in one year is exceeded. This excessive use permit allows for three (3) more false police alarms for a period of twelve (12) months and is exclusive of the alarm user permit requirements. E. Public Saft Personnel: Duly authorized City employees or their designees. F. False Alarms: An alarm signal eliciting a response by public safety personnel when a situation requiring a response does not, in fact, exist and which is caused by the activation of the alarm system through mechanical failure, alarm mannction, improper installation or the inadvertence of the owner or lessee of an alarm system or of his or her employees or agents. A false alarm does not include an alarm caused by climatic conditions, utility line mishaps, violent conditions of nature or other conditions determined to be beyond the control of the alarm manufacturer, installer or user. 7-8-3 Permit Required Every alarm system user shall obtain, for each alarm system under his/her control, a permit issued by the City of Rosemount. Such permit shall be valid for two years and must be renewed biannually. A permit will allow a total of eight (8) false police alarms during the course of the two year permit period, but not to exceed four (4) false police alarms per year. Should the number of false police alarms exceed four (4) in one year the alarm user must purchase an excessive use permit upon notice from the Police Chief or his/her designee. Upon exhausting the amount of false alarms allowed by an excessive use permit, an alarm user must purchase another excessive use permit. 7-8-4 Permit Fees The fees for the alarm user permit and the excessive alarm user permit shall be set by City Council resolution. 7-8-5 Exceptions Federal or State agencies and political subdivisions of the Federal or State governments shall be subject to the permit requirements of this chapter, but shall be exempt from the payment of any permit fees and/or any false alarm charges otherwise provided for by this chapter. 7-8-6 Application Requirements Applications for an alarm system permit shall be made in writing to the City of Rosemount on such forms as designated by the City Clerk and shall contain the following information: A. The name, address and telephone number of the applicant; B. The name, address and telephone number of the property owner if different from the applicant; 2 C. The property address of the location where the alarm system will be installed and maintained; D. The brand name of the alarm system; E. The type of alarm system being installed; F. The name, address and telephone number of the installer; G. The names and telephone numbers of persons who have the ability to control the alarm system on a 24 hour a day availability; H. A declaration that the alarm system does not utilize an automatic dialing device programmed to dial the Police Department directly. 7-8-7 Criminal Penalties Any alarm user that violates any part of this ordinance or knowingly fails to obtain an alarm user permit or an excessive alarm user permit shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable by a fine of not more than seven hundred dollars ($700) or imprisonment not to exceed ninety (90) days or both, together with the costs of prosecution. Section 2. This ordinance will become effective from and after its date of publication. Adopted this — day of ) 1996. Cathy Busho, Mayor ATTEST: Susan Walsh, City Clerk Published this — day of 1996 in the Rosemount Town Pages. 3 CITY OF ROSEMOUNT DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE FEES FOR ALARM USER PERMITS AND EXCESSIVE ALARM USER PERMITS VVHERES, it is in the interest of the City to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Rosemount from the nuisance and negligent operation of alarm systems while providing the highest level of service to alarm users, and VaIERES, the City Council desires to reduce the number of police responses to avoidable or false police alarms, and WHERES, valuable public safety resources are used in responding to the growing number of avoidable police alarms, and VVHERES, the City Council requires that an alarm user obtain an alarm user permit which is valid for the period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of purchase and, if necessary, an excessive alarm user permit which is valid for twelve (12) months from the date of purchase. WHERES, the City Council finds it necessary to establish an ordinance and permit fees to assist in reducing the number of avoidable or false police alarms. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council establishes the fee for an alarm user permit to be ten ($10) dollars and the excessive alarm user permit to be one hundred twenty- five ($125) dollars. Cathy Busho, Mayor ATTEST: Susan M. Walsh, City Clerk Motion by: Second by: Voted in favor: Voted against: 10 CITY OF ROSEMOUNT STATE OF MINNESOTA ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE REGULATING FALSE ALARMS TBE CITY COUNCIL OF TBE CITY OF ROSEMOUNT ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Rosemount City Code, Title 7, is amended by adding new Chapter 8, Sections 7-8-1 through 7-8-9 as follows: 7-8-1 Purpose The purpose of this ordinance is to preserve and protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Rosemount from the nuisance and negligent operation of alarm systems while providing the highest level of service to alarm users. 7-8-2 Definitions For the purpose of this Chapter, the following definitions shall apply: A. Alarm System: Any assembly of equipment or devices, either mechanically or electronically operated, which signals either audibly or in any other manner so as to be seen, heard, or otherwise detected outside the protected area serviced by the alarm system, that a robbery, burglary, medical emergency, act of vandalism or unauthorized entry has occurred, and which is intended to summon a response from police personnel. An automobile alarm device shall not be considered to be an alarm system under the terms of this chapter. B. Alarm Use : A person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind in control of any building, structure, or facility in which an alarm system is maintained. C. Alarm User Permit: A permit issued biannually by the City of Rosemount, to the owner or other person in control of a building, structure, property, or any part thereof, located in the City who has leased, purchased, or otherwise possesses an alarm system for use on a property. This permit allows up to eight (8) false police alarms during the two year life of the permit, but no more than four (4) false police alarms per year. D. Excessive Alarm User Permit: A permit that is issued to an alarm user when the number of false alarms permitted in one year is exceeded. This excessive use permit allows for three (3) more false police alarms for a period of twelve (12) months and is exclusive of the alarm user permit requirements. E. Public Saftly Personnel: Duly authorized City employees or their designees. F. False Alarms: An alarm signal eliciting a response by public safety personnel when a situation requiring a response does not, in fact, exist and which is caused by the activation of the alarm system through mechanical failure, alarm malfunction, improper installation or the inadvertence of the owner or lessee of an alarm system or of his or her employees or agents. A false alarm does not include an alarm caused by climatic conditions, utility line mishaps, violent conditions of nature or other conditions determined to be beyond the control of the alarm manufacturer, installer or user. 7-8-3 Permit Required Every alarm system user shall obtain, for each alarm system under his/her control, a permit issued by the City of Rosemount. Such permit shall be valid for two years and must be renewed biannually. A permit will allow a total of eight (8) false police alarms during the course of the two year permit period, but not to exceed four (4) false police alarms per year. Should the number of false police alarms exceed four (4) in one year the alarm user must purchase an excessive use permit upon notice from the Police Chief or his/her designee. Upon exhausting the amount of false alarms allowed by an excessive use permit, an alarm user must purchase another excessive use permit. 7-84 Permit Fees The fees for the alarm user permit and the excessive alarm user permit shall be set by City Council resolution. 7-8-5 Exceptions Federal or State agencies and political subdivisions of the Federal or State governments shall be subject to the permit requirements of this chapter, but shall be exempt from the payment of any permit fees and/or any false alarm charges otherwise provided for by this chapter. 7-8-6 Application Requirements Applications for an alarm system permit shall be made in writing to the City of Rosemount on such forms as designated by the City Clerk and shall contain the following information: A. The name, address and telephone number of the applicant; B. The name, address and telephone number of the property owner if different from the applicant; 2 C. The property address of the location where the alarm system will be installed and maintained; D. The brand name of the alarm system; E. The type of alarm system being installed; F. The name, address and telephone number of the installer; G. The names and telephone numbers of persons who have the ability to control the alarm system on a 24 hour a day availability; H. A declaration that the alarm system does not utilize an automatic dialing device programmed to dial the Police Department directly. 7-8-7 Criminal Penalties Any alarm user that violates any part of this ordinance or knowingly fas to obtain an alarm user permit or an excessive alarm user permit shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable by a fine of not more than seven hundred dollars ($700) or imprisonment not to exceed ninety (90) days or both, together with the costs of prosecution. Section 2. This ordinance will become effective from and after its date of publication. Adopted this — day of 1996. Cathy Busho, Mayor ATTEST Susan Walsh, City Clerk Published this — day of ) 1996 in the Rosemount Town Pages. K #0 CITY OF ROSEMOUNT DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE FEES FOR ALARM USER PERMITS AND EXCESSIVE ALARM USER PERMITS WHERES9 it is in the interest of the City to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Rosemount from the nuisance and negligent operation of alarm systems while providing the highest level of service to alarm users, and WHERES, the City Council desires to reduce the number of police responses to avoidable or false police alarms, and WHERES, valuable public safety resources are used in responding to the growing number of avoidable police alarms, and WHERES, the City Council requires that an alarm user obtain an alarm user permit which is valid for the period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of purchase and, if necessary, an excessive alarm user permit which is valid for twelve (12) months from the date of purchase. WHERES, the City Council finds it necessary to establish an ordinance and permit fees to assist in reducing the number of avoidable or false police alarms. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council establishes the fee for an alarm user permit to be ten ($10) dollars and the excessive alarm user permit to be one hundred twenty- five ($125) dollars. Cathy Busho, Mayor ATTEST: Susan M. Walsh, City Clerk Motion by: Second by: Voted in favor: Voted against: