Explanation
BACKGROUND: Under the authority of Chapter 597 of the Columbus City Code, persons or businesses that wish to operate security alarm systems in the city of Columbus must seek a permit from the Department of Public Safety, License Section.
When an alarm signal is sent requesting an emergency response by the Division of Police or the Division of Fire, the responding police officer or firefighter must determine if an emergency situation does or does not exist. If it is determined that an emergency situation does not exist, the emergency signal is considered to be a false alarm.
Under Section 597.16, in the case of a false alarm, the responding police officer or firefighter must make a report of the false alarm and forward it to the Department of Public Safety, License Section. Notification of the false alarm report must also be delivered to the address of the false alarm occurrence. Currently, the code is written to require immediate delivery of the notification; however, it does not specify the manner in which the delivery must be made.
This code change specifies that the notification of the false alarm report must be immediately delivered to the address of the false alarm occurrence within five (5) business days by posted notice, email, or U.S. postal service.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
Title
To amend Chapter 597 of the Columbus City Code, 1959, Section 597.16, relating to alarm systems and false alarms, to more clearly specify the manner in which notification of a false alarm occurrence is delivered.
Body
WHEREAS, there is a need to amend Section 597.16 of the Columbus City Code to provide clarity and specificity relating to notifications of false alarm occurrences; and
WHEREAS, when an alarm system signals for an emergency response, the responding police officer or firefighter must determine whether an emergency situation exists; and
WHEREAS, if it is determined that an emergency situation does not exist, the emergency signal is considered to be a false alarm; and
WHEREAS, in the case of a false alarm, the responding police officer or firefighter must make a report of the false alarm and deliver a notification of the false alarm report to the address of the false alarm occurrence; and
WHEREAS, currently the code is written to require immediate delivery of the notification, but it does not state the manner in which the notification is delivered; and
WHEREAS, this code change will specify that the notification of the false alarm report must be immediately delivered to the address of the false alarm occurrence within five (5) business days by posted notice, email, or U.S. postal service; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance establishes language and authorizes the amendment of Section 597.16 of Columbus City Code for the above-described purpose; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That Section 597.16 of the Columbus City Code be and is hereby amended to read as follows:
597.16 False alarm determination.
(A) When a police officer or firefighter responds to the scene of an emergency alarm signal, it shall be the responsibility of that officer or firefighter to determine the validity of the emergency signal.
(B) If the responding police officer or firefighter determines the emergency signal to be false, that officer or firefighter shall make a report of the false alarm and forward it to the department of public safety, license section. A notification of the false alarm report shall be immediately delivered to the address of the false alarm occurrence immediately by posted notice or via email notification or US postal service within five (5) business days.
(C) Each false alarm notice shall constitute a separate violation of this chapter.
SECTION 2. That existing Section 597.16 of the Columbus City Code is hereby repealed.
SECTION 3. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period provided by law.