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[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Board of the Township of Grosse Ile 3-12-1990 by Ord. No. 173. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Smoke detectors — See Ch. 220.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ALARM SYSTEM
A device or assembly of equipment designated for the detection of an unauthorized entry of premises or for alerting others of the commission of an unlawful act or for detection of fire and which, when activated, emits a sound or transmits a signal or message. The term "alarm system" shall include, but not be limited to, the terms "automatic holdup alarm system," "burglar alarm system," "intrusion alarm system," "holdup alarm system," "manual holdup alarm system," "police alarm system" and "fire alarm system."
ALARM USER
Any person, firm, corporation or other entity on whose premises an alarm system is maintained within the Township, except for alarm systems on motor vehicles or boats. If, however, an alarm on a motor vehicle or boat is connected with an alarm system at a premises, the person using such alarm system is an alarm user. Excluded from this definition and from coverage of this chapter are persons who use an alarm system to alert or signal persons within the premises in which the alarm system is located of an attempted unauthorized intrusion or holdup attempt unless such a system also employs an audible signal emitting sounds or flashing light or beacon designated to signal person(s) outside the premises.
FALSE ALARM
Any alarm condition which is registered at the Police Department or Fire Department or elsewhere not resulting from criminal activity or a fire for which the alarm was intended. It shall also include any alarm condition which is activated and registered at the Police Department or Fire Department for the purpose of summoning Police Department or Fire Department personnel to respond to some event other than what is reasonably believed to be an unlawful act, or unauthorized entry onto the premises, or of the existence of a fire or potential fire condition. In the case of a fire alarm, a false alarm is any alarm condition which is registered at the Police Department or Fire Department or elsewhere not resulting from a fire or potential fire condition. Not included in this definition is any alarm caused by weather conditions.
PERSON
Any individual, partnership or corporation or other entity, but not including any governmental unit.
[Amended 7-22-2002]
The alarm user shall be required to pay the Township a sum as set from time to time by the Township Board for each false alarm after the first two in a given calendar year. No alarm user shall be required to pay said fee on the first two occasions of a false alarm during any one calendar year (January 1 through December 31), but shall be advised in writing of said false alarm and of the existence of the chapter from which this section is derived.
Following the response of police personnel or fire personnel to an alarm call deemed to be false, a representative of the Police Chief or Fire Chief shall mail such alarm notification form to the alarm user on which shall be indicated the number of alarms received within the calendar year and any fee due in accordance with this chapter.
A. 
Exemptions.
(1) 
Alarm conditions caused by the following circumstances shall not constitute a false alarm, and no false alarm fee shall be charged by the Township:
(a) 
Alarm system malfunctions, if corrective measures have been instituted within 96 hours of notification by the Police Department or Fire Department, provided that the alarm user presents documentation of repair service having been performed by the alarm company to remedy malfunction.
(b) 
Storm conditions.
(c) 
Alarm activated by disruption of electrical power or disturbance of telephone or other communication systems.
(d) 
Alarm conditions being activated by persons working on the alarm system with prior notification to the Police Department or Fire Department.
(2) 
In Subsection A(1)(a) through (d), it shall be the responsibility of the alarm user to notify the Police Department or Fire Department by filling out the alarm notification form and returning it to the Police Department or Fire Department within 10 days of receipt of the alarm notification form. Failure to notify the Police Department or Fire Department will result in an automatic billing to the user.
B. 
If, upon receiving a false alarm notice, the alarm user wishes to request a waiver of the assessment of the fee due to extenuating circumstances, he may do so in writing within 10 days of the assessment date. The notice to the Police Department or Fire Department shall contain documentation of the extenuating circumstances involved. Within 10 days of the receipt of the waiver request by the Police Department or the Fire Department, the Police Chief or the Fire Chief, or their designee, shall make a determination on the waiver request and shall notify the alarm user of the decision.
Alarm systems employing audible signals, as of the effective date of this chapter, shall be equipped with shutoff devices that automatically silence the audible signal after 15 minutes.
[Amended 7-22-2002]
Penalties for violation of this chapter shall be punishable as provided in Chapter 1, General Provisions, § 1-3. The provisions of Chapter 1, Article II, Municipal Civil Infractions, also apply to violations of this chapter.