§ 20-20. Definitions.

As used in this article, the terms herein are defined as follows:

Alarm, burglar: Any device or series of devices intended to prevent or detect an unauthorized entry or attempted unauthorized entry into the alarm site.

Alarm, dial: Any alarm or device which automatically selects a telephone line connected to police headquarters and reproduces a prerecorded message to report a crime intrusion or other emergency requiring police response.

Alarm, false: The activation of an alarm system or a fire alarm through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation, inclement weather or the negligence of the subscriber, owner or lessee of said system or his employees, agents or representatives. Specifically excepted are acts of God, such as false alarms caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and the like. If cancellation of an alarm occurs prior to a police officer or firefighter arriving at the scene, no false alarm will be assessed.

Alarm, fire: Any device or combination of devices intended to detect the presence of combustion, smoke, fire, or flame in any occupancy.

Alarm, holdup: Any type alarm system or device designated to be activated by the alarm user or subscriber in the event of a holdup or robbery.

Alarm, home: Any alarm device or system which is connected to a residence.

Alarm, panic: Any type alarm system or device that is manually activated by an alarm user that designates they are being forced to turn off the system or are under duress.

Alarm site: The specific property or area of the premises upon or within which an alarm system is or is to be installed. Each unit, if served by a separate alarm in a multi-unit building or complex, shall be considered a separate alarm site.

Alarm system: Any device used to detect or prevent burglary, theft, shoplifting, pilferage or other such emergency situations which, when activated, causes notification to be made directly or indirectly to the police department; or any device or system designed primarily for the purpose of giving an audible or visual signal of an attempted burglary, theft, shoplifting, pilferage or other such emergency. For the purposes of this article, an alarm system shall not include:

(1)

An alarm installed on a motor vehicle;

(2)

An alarm designed so that no notification is given to the police until after the occupants, or an agent of the owner or lessee, have checked the alarm site and determined that there was physical evidence at the site showing that the alarm was the result of criminal activity of the kind the alarm system was designed to give notice.

(3)

An alarm installed upon the premises occupied by the United States government or the state, the county or municipal governments. For the purposes of this section, "state, county or municipal governments" does not include any other subdivisions, such as water districts, school districts or municipal utility districts.

Alarm system business: Any person employed by an alarm business whose duties include altering, installing, maintaining, moving, repairing, replacing, selling, servicing, responding to or monitoring an alarm system. It shall also mean any person employed or otherwise associated with an alarm business who has access to confidential information relating to a customer or subscriber of such alarm business which could be used to compromise or defeat an alarm system.

Alarm user: Any person on whose premises an alarm system is maintained.

Chief of police: The chief of the Pearland Police Department or his designated representative.

City: The City of Pearland, Texas.

Fire chief: The Fire Chief for the City of Pearland or his designated representative.

Person: Any individual, corporation, business, school district or other organization.

Subscriber: A person or business which buys or otherwise obtains an alarm system and has a contract with an alarm business to monitor and/or service the alarm system.

(Ord. No. 569-3, § 1, 3-8-10)