H-5 - Ordinance 2021-487 - Alarm Systems and False Alarms

CITY OF TIFFIN ORDINANCE NO. 2021-487 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF TIFFIN, IOWA, TO ADD CHAPTER 38, ALARMS SYSTEMS AND FALSE ALARMS, TO THE POLICE, FIRE AND EMERGENCIES SECTION BE IT ENACTED by the City Council of the City of Tiffin, Iowa: Section 1. Purpose: The purpose of this ordinance is to amend the municipal code of Tiffin to add Chapter 38, Alarm Systems and False Alarms, to the Police, Fire and Emergencies section. Section 2. Amendment. Chapter 38 – Alarm Systems and False Alarms, is hereby added as follows: CHAPTER 38 ALARM SYSTEMS AND FALSE ALARMS 38.01 Purpose 38.02 Definitions 38.03 Registration of Alarm Systems 38.04 False Alarms 38.05 Penalties for False Alarms 38.01 PURPOSE. The purpose of this chapter is to assess a civil penalty for false alarms in Tiffin received by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office or Fire Department which require a Deputy to report to the scene or a response from the Fire Department to the scene. False alarms expose the public to danger as well as increasing the costs on the City and Fire Departments to respond to those alarms. 38.02 DEFINITIONS. 1. “Alarm system” means any assembly of equipment, mechanical or electrical, and including all forms of audible exterior and interior alarms arranged to signal the occurrence of an illegal entry, fire emergency and/or medical or other activity, requiring urgent attention, and to which Deputies, firefighters and EMS technicians are expected to respond. The term “alarm system” shall not include personal medical alert devices. 2. “False alarm” means a false alarm is any alarm that is activated on purpose or by accident or by system malfunction when there is no intrusion, fire, smoke or medical emergency. The City shall have the full authority to determine those situations and/or circumstances that may constitute a false alarm, but which are not defined below. A. Error or Mistake. Any action by any person owning or operating any dwelling, building or place, or any action by an agent or employee of said person which results in the activation of an alarm system when no emergency exists.