Title 9 PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND WELFARE

Chapter 9.04 OFFENSES BY OR AGAINST PUBLIC OFFICERS AND GOVERNMENT

9.04.090 False alarms.

A.        Definitions.  For purposes of this Section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

1.         "Alarm" means any device that is designed to cause a Police Department response, which is reported by notification, transmitted, telephoned, radioed or otherwise relayed to the Police Department by such device or by any person acting in response to a signal activated by such device, or by an audible or visual signal designed to notify persons within audible or visual range of the signal.

 

2.         "False alarm" means an alarm resulting in a response by the Police Department to the property on which the alarm is located where no evidence or information exists that criminal activity or an emergency has occurred prior to or during the activation of the alarm.  "False alarm" does not include alarms activated by violent conditions of nature, such as blizzards, tornadoes, earthquakes, or any other similar cause beyond the control of the owner.

 

3.         "Owner" means the fee owner of the property on which an alarm is located.  It shall be presumed that the fee owner of the property on which an alarm is located is the person whose name is indicated as the owner of the property in the records of the Arapahoe County Assessor.  This presumption may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence.

B.         It is unlawful for any owner to activate or permit the activation of a false alarm.

C.        Penalties.  Violations of this Section shall be punishable as follows:

1.         There shall be no penalty for the first two (2) violations of this Section in any twelve (12) month period. 

2.         For subsequent violations in any twelve month period, the following penalties shall be imposed by the Municipal Court upon conviction or guilty plea:

a.         Third violation:  fine of one hundred and fifty dollars ($150.00).

b.         Fourth violation:  fine of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00).

c.         Fifth and subsequent violations:  a minimum fine of three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00) up to a maximum fine of nine hundred ninety nine dollars ($999.00) per violation.