§ 30-27. 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 company means any person conducting or engaged in the business of selling, leasing, maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving, installing or monitoring alarm systems within the city.

Alarm site means an identifiable and detached building with a separate alarm system, or an individual business premises or residence within a building, having a separate alarm system.

Alarm system means a device or system that emits, transmits, or relays, when tripped, a signal intended to summon, or that could reasonably be expected to summon, police services of the city. The term "alarm system" does not include the following:

(1)

An alarm installed on a vehicle, unless the vehicle is permanently located at a site;

(2)

An alarm which by design only alerts the occupants of a residence or business premises; or

(3)

Alarm devices installed on a temporary basis by the police department.

Automatic dialing device means an alarm system which automatically sends over regular telephone lines, by direct connection or otherwise, a prerecorded voice message indicating the existence of the emergency situation that the alarm system is designed to detect.

Central station means an office to which alarm systems are connected, where operators supervise the circuits, and where guards and/or servicepersons are maintained continuously to investigate signals.

Direct line means a telephone line leading directly from a central station to the communications center of the police department, where the line is used only to report emergency signals on a person-to-person basis.

False alarm means the activation of an alarm system which precipitates a response by police services of the city, when police services are not required. False alarms do not include alarms resulting from violent acts of nature, such as earthquakes, gale-force winds, or tornadoes.

Interconnect means to connect an alarm system to a telephone line, either directly or through a mechanical device that utilizes a standard telephone, for the purpose of using the telephone line to transmit an emergency message upon the activation of the alarm system.

Modified central station means an office to which alarm systems are connected where operators supervise the circuits, but where guards are not maintained to investigate alarm systems.

Person means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, organization, school district, government agency or similar entity.

Primary trunk line means any telephone line, including 911 emergency lines, leading directly into the communications center of the police department for the purpose of handling emergency calls on a person-to-person basis, and which is identified as such by a specific number included among the emergency numbers listed in the telephone directory issued by the telephone company, covering the service area within the police department's jurisdiction.

Siren means any audible noise similar to that which must be sounded by an authorized emergency vehicle under the conditions set forth in Vehicle Code § 21055.

Special trunk line means a telephone line leading into the communications center of the police department and having the primary purpose of handling emergency messages originating through a central station, modified central station or answering service.

(Ord. No. 97-01, § 2(9.96.015—9.96.080), 1-2-1997; Ord. No. 97-13, § 2, 3-26-1997; Ord. No. 97-17, § 2, 9-24-1997; Ord. No. 97-23, § 1(9.96.015—9.96.080), 12-17-1997)

Cross reference

Definitions generally, § 1-2.