6215ORDINANCE NO. 6215
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM
AMENDING CHAPTER 4.95 OF TITLE 4 OF
THE ANAHEIM MUNICIPAL CODE
PERTAINING TO FALSE ALARMS.
WHEREAS, the Anaheim Police Department annually responds to approximately
10,000 alarms, of which approximately 96 percent are false alarms; and
WHEREAS, the response to false alarms by the Police Department constitutes
approximately 4.4 percent of all calls for police service in the City of Anaheim; and
WHEREAS, responses to false alarms thereby may endanger the public by
preventing, diverting, or delaying police officers from patrolling a neighborhood; responding to
legitimate calls for police service; or investigating and solving crimes; and
WHEREAS, the costs associated with responses to false and unverified alarms by
the Police Department constitutes a waste of tax dollars; and
WHEREAS, the use of tax dollars to cover the costs of responses to false alarms
unfairly requires City taxpayers who do not own alarms to subsidize the costs of responses to
false alarms to the detriment of their public safety; and
WHEREAS, continued Police Department response to false alarm activations is
hazardous and unnecessarily puts police officers, citizens, and visitors at risk.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM HEREBY ORDAINS AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1
Chapter 4.95 of Title 4 of the Anaheim Municipal Code be, and the same is
hereby, amended to read as follows:
"Chapter 4.95 FALSE ALARMS
Sections:
4.95.010 Purpose.
4.95.020 Definitions.
4.95.030 Alarm permit required.
4.95.040 Exemptions.
4.95.050 Alarm permit procedures.
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4.95.060
Notice of change.
4.95.070
Revocation of alarm permits.
4.95.080
Appeal of revocation.
4.95.090
Duties of the alarm user.
4.95.100
Duties of the alarm company.
4.95.110
Use of alarm systems - Restricted.
4.95.120
False alarm - Prevention fine.
4.95.130 Repair.
4.95.140 Testing alarm.
4.95.150 No duty or obligation.
4.95.160 Enforcement provision.
4.95.170 Violation of chapter; penalties.
4.95.010 PURPOSE.
The public has purchased alarm systems which either mechanically malfunction or are
not operated properly by their users, causing an increase in false alarm reports which require an
immediate response from the Police Department, thus needlessly diverting limited police
resources. The purpose of this chapter is to set forth regulations governing the use of alarm
systems, require permits therefor, establish fees, and provide penalty for violations of provisions
of this chapter.
4.95.020 DEFINITIONS.
Unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires, terms defined herein shall have
the following meaning when used in this chapter.
(a) "Alarm company" means any person that engages in business or accepts
employment to install, maintain, alter, sell, monitor, service, respond to or cause others to
respond to an alann device located in the City. This includes an alarm company that is located
outside the limits of the City which monitor alarms installed within the limits of the City.
(b) "Alann pen means a permit issued by the City allowing the operation of an
alarm system within the City.
(c) "Alarm signal" means a detectable signal; audible or visual, generated by an
alarm system.
(d) "Alann system" means any system, device or mechanism which, when activated,
transmits a telephonic, wireless, electronic, video, or other form of message to an alarm
company, or some other number, or emits an audible or visible signal that can be heard or seen
by persons outside a protected premises or protected property, or transmits a signal beyond a
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protected premises or protected property in some other fashion. The definition of "alarm
system" includes, but is not limited to, a manual alarm, a remote alarm and /or an outdoor alarm
system. A fire alarm system solely designed to detect a fire condition and actuate an alarm or
warning of fire is not included within this definition.
(e) "Alarm user" means any person owning, leasing or operating an alarm system, or
on whose property or premises an alarm system is maintained for the protection of such property
or premises.
(f) "Cancellation" means the process where response is terminated when the alarm
company (designated by the alarm user) notifies the Police Department that there is not an
existing situation at the alarm site requiring police response after an alarm dispatch request.
(g) "City" means the City of Anaheim.
(h) "Chief of Police" means the Chief of the Anaheim Police Department, or his/her
designee.
(i) "Day" means business day.
0) "False alarm" means an alarm signal activated willfully, unintentionally,
negligently or inadvertently; due to mechanical or electrical malfunction; due to improper
installation or maintenance; or due to weather conditions, necessitating a response and arrival by
the Police Department that was not cancelled by the alarm user or his/her agent before law
enforcement personnel arrive at the alarm location. An alarm is false within the meaning of this
chapter when, upon inspection by the Police Department, evidence indicates that no unauthorized
entry, robbery, or other such crime was committed or attempted in or on the property or premises
which would have activated a properly functioning alarm system.
(k) "Fire alarm system" means a system consisting of a control unit and a
combination of electrical interconnected devices solely designed and intended to detect a fire
condition and to actuate an alarm or warning of fire in a building or structure by either manual or
automatic activation, or both.
(1) "Hearing Officer" shall have the same meaning as set forth in Section
1.12.110.0102 of the Anaheim Municipal Code.
(m) "Manual alann" means any system, device, or mechanism, manually activated by
a person to alert others that a crime, attempted crime, or other emergency at a protected premise
or protected property is occurring, is about to occur, or has occurred, which, when activated,
transmits a telephonic, wireless, electronic, video, or other form of message, or emits an audible
or visible signal that can be heard or seen by persons outside the protected premises or protected
property, or transmits a signal beyond the protected premises or protected property.
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(n) "Notice" means written notice, given by personal service upon the addressee, or
given by the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the person to be notified at his last
known address. Service of such notice shall be effective upon the completion of personal service
or upon the placing of the same in the custody of the United States Postal Service.
(o) "Outdoor alarm system" means a manual or remote alarm system designed to
cover an outdoor area not secured by a structure, building or facility.
(p) "Person" means any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation,
limited liability company, trust, incorporated or unincorporated entity, or other entity or group of
persons, but excludes the United States, the State of California, and any political subdivision or
municipal corporation thereof.
(q) "Police Department' or "police" means the Anaheim Police Department, and
includes other law enforcement agencies assisting the Anaheim Police Department.
(r) "Protected premises" means any structure, building, or facility, or portion thereof,
protected by an alarm system.
(s) "Protected property" means the outdoor areas of real property that are not secured
by a structure, building, or facility which are protected by an alarm system.
(t) "Remote alarm" means any system, device, or mechanism for detection and
reporting of any unauthorized entry, attempted entry or property damage upon real property
protected by an alarm system which is not manually activated by a person and which, when
activated, transmits a telephonic, wireless, electronic, video, or other form of message, or emits
an audible or visible signal that can be heard or seen by persons outside the protected premises or
protected property, or transmits a signal beyond the protected premises or protected property. As
used in this chapter, alarms on Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are included in this
definition.
(u) "Responsible person" means each and all of the following: (1) any person actually
in charge of the protected premises or protected property from which a false alann originates;
and (2) the owner, tenant or other person lawfully occupying the protected premises or protected
property from which a false alarm originates.
(v) "Runaway alarm" means an alarm system that produces repeated alarm signals
that do not appear to be caused by separate human action.
(w) "SIA Control Panel Standard CP -01" means the American National Standard
Institute (ANSI) 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 anning and disarming devices to reduce false alarms.
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(x) "Verify" means an attempt by the alarm company to determine whether an alarm
signal is valid before requesting law enforcement dispatch by: having an alarm company
representative personally verify that the alarm is valid; contacting the alarm site and /or alarm
user by telephone, whether or not actual contact with a person is made; and /or verifying by
electronic means. Telephone verification shall require at 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 attempt to determine whether an alarm signal is valid before requesting law
enforcement dispatch. Electronic verification shall require verification of a crime by video
and /or audible means.
4.95.030 ALARM PERMIT REQUIRED.
No person shall install, maintain, operate, or use an alarm system without first applying
and receiving an alarm permit therefore in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. If an
alarm user has one or more alarm systems protecting two or more separate premises having
different addresses and /or tenants, a separate alarm permit shall be required for each premises
and /or tenant.
4.95.040 EXEMPTIONS.
No alarm permit shall be required for any of the following:
.010 Alarms systems installed on property owned, leased or controlled by municipal,
county, state or federal government agencies or special districts.
.020 Audible alarms affixed to motor vehicles.
4.95.050 ALARM PERMIT PROCEDURES.
.010 Applications for all alarm permits required hereunder shall be filed with the
Police Department. The Chief of Police shall prescribe the form of the application and request
such information as is necessary to evaluate and act upon the permit application. The application
for an alarm system shall require the name, address and telephone number of the person who will
render service or repairs during any hour of the day or night.
.020 When the possession of the premises at which an alarm system is maintained is
transferred, the person obtaining possession of the property shall file an application for an alarm
pen within thirty days of obtaining possession of the property. Alarm permits are not
transferable.
.030 The Chief of Police shall issue an alarm permit as requested, unless he /she
determines that the applicant has had an alarm permit revoked by the City within one year prior
to the date of the application.
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4.95.060 NOTICE OF CHANGE.
Whenever any change occurs relating to the written information required by Section
4.95.050 (governing Application Forms) of this chapter, the applicant or permittee shall give
written notice thereof to the Police Department within twenty days after such change or at any
hearing conducted under this chapter if such hearing is conducted before said notice has been
given.
4.95.070 REVOCATION OF ALARM PERMITS.
.010 If, at any time, it shall come to the attention of the Chief of Police that the holder
of an alarm permit issued under this chapter has violated any provisions of this chapter, rules, or
regulations made, pursuant to this chapter, the Chief of Police may revoke the alarm permit.
.020 If an alarm permit is to be revoked, as provided hereunder, the Chief of Police
shall give the permittee fifteen days notice of the Chief of Police's intention to revoke the alarm
permit by personal service or by mail addressed to permittee at the address set forth on the alarm
permit application. Upon failure of the permittee to take corrective action, as set forth by the
Chief of Police in the notice of intent to revoke, and provide proof thereof to the Chief of Police
or to pay the false alarm prevention fine, the alarm permit shall be revoked. If an alarm permit is
revoked, the Chief of Police shall provide notice to the permittee that the alarm permit has been
revoked via personal service or by mail addressed to permittee at the address set forth on the
alarm permit application. Said notice shall also provide that the permittee may appeal the
revocation to the Hearing Officer, as provided in Section 4.95.080 of this chapter.
4.95.080 APPEAL OF REVOCATION.
.010 In the event a notice of revocation is given, the permittee may appeal the
revocation by filing a statement with the Police Department setting forth the facts and
circumstances regarding the actions of the Chief of Police. The Hearing Officer, who shall be
appointed by the City Attorney, shall cause the appeal to be placed on the next available date on
the Hearing Officer's calendar and notify the appellant. The Hearing Officer shall receive
evidence, both oral and written, at such hearing and may affirm, overrule or modify the action of
the Chief of Police. The permittee will be notified of the decision of the Hearing Officer by mail
or personal service and the Hearing Officer's decision shall be final. The right to appeal to the
Hearing Officer from an action of the Chief of Police shall terminate upon the expiration of
fifteen days following deposit of the notice of revocation in the United States Post Office or
personal service of said notice.
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.020 All fees paid by permittee, as provided by this chapter, shall be forfeited in the
event of revocation. Enforcement of a revocation notice, pursuant to Section 4.95.070, shall be
stayed during the pendency of an appeal therefrom which is properly and timely filed.
4.95.090 DUTIES OF THE ALARM USER.
.010 An alarm user shall respond or cause a representative to respond to the alarm
system's location, to render service or repairs to the alarm system, within one hour of being
notified by the Police Department of an alarm activation or a need for service.
.020 An alarm user shall obtain a new alarm permit if there is a change in address,
ownership or possession of the protected property or premises.
.030 Ninety days after enactment of this chapter, an alarm user shall, on all new and
up- graded installations, use only alarm control panel(s) which, at a minimum, meet SIA Control
Panel Standard CP -01 or its equivalent.
4.95. 100 DUTIES OF THE ALARM COMPANY.
.010 Prior to activation of an alarm system, the alarm company shall provide
instructions explaining the proper operation of the alarm system to the alarm user and written
information of how to obtain service from the alarm company for the alarm system.
.020 Prior to contacting the Police Department and requesting that the police respond
to a remote alarm system activation, an alarm company shall attempt to verify that the alarm
signal is not a false alarm.
.030 An alarm company requesting that the police respond to an alarm system
activation shall provide the Anaheim Police Communications Center with any available
information about the location and nature of the alarm.
.040 An alann company shall immediately contact the Anaheim Police
Communications Center to cancel a police response following a determination that response is
unnecessary.
4.95.110 USE OF ALARM SYSTEMS - RESTRICTED.
.010 No person shall install, maintain, operate or use an alarm system that emits an
audible sound or visible signal that can be heard or seen by persons outside of a protected
premise or protected property where such emission does not automatically cease within ten (10)
minutes of its activation.
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.020 No person shall install, maintain, operate or use an alarm system which, upon
activation, emits a sound similar to sirens in use on emergency vehicles or for civil defense
purposes.
.030 No person shall install, maintain, operate or use an alarm system which
automatically dials the Police Department.
.040 No person shall activate a manual alarm unless the person who activates the alarm
has a good faith belief, at the time the person activated the alarm, that a crime, attempted crime,
or other emergency at the protected premises or protected property was occurring, was about to
occur or had occurred.
4.95.120 FALSE ALARM - PREVENTION FINE.
.010 When emergency alarms, messages, signals or notices are received by the Police
Department that evidence a failure to comply with the requirements of this chapter, or an alarm
permit issued hereunder, the Chief of Police is authorized to demand that the owner or lessee of
the alarm system initiating such alarms, messages, signals or notices, or his or her representative,
disconnect the alarm system until it is made to comply with said requirements.
.020 No person shall install, maintain, operate, or use an alarm system that generates a
false alarm. There is hereby imposed and assessed upon a responsible person a fine for each false
alarm call in excess of one in any twelve month period, which fine shall be determined by
resolution of the City Council. The fine will be paid to the Finance Director for deposit into the
General Fund.
.030 The fine imposed, pursuant to this chapter, shall be a debt owed, jointly and
severally, by the responsible persons, as defined in this chapter, to the City. Any such
responsible persons owing money, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, shall be jointly and
severally liable in an action brought in the name of the City for recovery of such amount,
together with reasonable attorneys' fees.
.040 The Police Department may provide an educational program for the prevention of
false alanns.
(a) The Police Department shall allow an alann user to attend any established
false alarm prevention program designated by the Chief of Police.
(b) Each alann user who attends a false alarm prevention program shall be
responsible for paying all provider fees associated with the program.
(c) If the alarm user successfully completes the false alarm prevention program,
the Police Department shall issue the person a certificate. The certificate may be used in lieu of
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one (1) payment for one fine assessed, pursuant to this Section, provided that the certificate is
submitted within one (1) year of its issuance.
(d) An alarm user who attends a false alarm prevention program provided
pursuant to this section is not eligible to attend another program within one year from the time in
which the person last attended the program.
.050 An alarm permit may be revoked, as provided in Section 4.95.070, in addition to
the payment of the prevention fine, as provided in this Section, or in the event of failure to pay
the false alarm fine.
4.95.130 REPAIR.
After any false alarm caused by a malfunction of the alarm system, an alarm system user
shall cause the alarm system to be repaired so as to eliminate such malfunction before
reactivating the alarm. A person shall not reactivate such alarm until such repairs have been
made.
4.95.140 TESTING ALARM.
.010 An alarm user shall notify the Anaheim Police Communications Center prior to
any service, test, repair maintenance, adjustment, alterations, or installations of systems which
would normally result in a police response, which might activate a false alarm. Any alarm
activated where such prior notice has been given shall not constitute a false alarm.
.020 Notwithstanding Section 4.95.140.010, no person shall activate an alarm for the
purpose of ascertaining the time it takes from when the alarm is activated until the arrival of a
police officer (response time). Any person activating an alarm to ascertain response time is guilty
of a misdemeanor punishable as set forth in Anaheim Municipal Code Section 1.01.370.
4.95.150 NO DUTY OR OBLIGATION.
Nothing in this chapter imposes or creates any express or implied duties or obligations on
the part of the City, its Police Department or any other governmental agency to respond to an
alarm activation of any sort, whether verified or not. Any and all liability of consequential
damage resulting from the failure to respond to an alarm activation of any sort is hereby
disclaimed and governmental immunity, as provided by law, is retained by the City.
4.95.160 ENFORCEMENT PROVISION.
The Chief of Police shall have broad discretion to promulgate, execute and enforce
policies, procedures and directives as may, in his/her discretion, be necessary to implement the
provisions of this chapter. Such powers shall include, but are not limited to, the power to
promulgate, execute and enforce a policy regarding dispatch of police to alarm signals, as well as
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the discretion to discontinue police response to alarm signals due to the alarm user's failure to
comply with the provisions of this chapter or to properly repair alarm systems deemed to
constitute runaway alarms.
4.95.170 VIOLATION OF CHAPTER; PENALTIES.
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any person violating any of the provisions
of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of an infraction."
SECTION 2 . SEVERABILITY
The City Council of the City of Anaheim hereby declares that should any section,
paragraph, sentence or word of this ordinance of the Code, hereby adopted, be declared for any
reason to be invalid, it is the intent of the Council that it would have passed all other portions of
this ordinance independent of the elimination herefrom of any such portion as may be declared
invalid.
SECTION 3 . SAVINGS CLAUSE
Neither the adoption of this ordinance nor the repeal of any other ordinance of this
City shall, in any manner, affect the prosecution for violations of ordinances, which violations
were committed prior to the effective date hereof, nor be construed as a waiver of any license or
penalty or the penal provisions applicable to any violation thereof. The provisions of this
ordinance, insofar as they are substantially the same as ordinance provisions previously adopted
by the City relating to the same subject matter, shall be construed as restatements and
continuations, and not as new enactments.
THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE was introduced at a regular meeting of the
City Council of the City of Anaheim held on the 7th day of June , 2011, and
thereafter passed and adopted at a regular meeting of said City Council held on the day of
June , 2011, by the following roll call vote:
AYE: Mayor Tait, Council Members Sidhu, Eastman, Galloway and Murray
NO: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF A AHEIM
of
AYOR OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM
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