Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:ALARM SYSTEMA device or an assembly of equipment which emits an audible response, which is intended to alert persons outside a premises to the existence of a hazard or emergency or which is intended to alert emergency agencies by automatically dialing an emergency agency or which is connected to a private answering point for the purpose of reporting such alarms to emergency agencies or which is directly connected to an emergency agency.ALARM USERAny person who owns, leases or uses an alarm system within the Town of Webster except for a person whose alarm system is on a motor vehicle or is a proprietary system.

If, however, an alarm system on a motor vehicle is connected with an alarm system at a premises (other than a proprietary system) in the Town of Webster, the person using such system is an alarm user.AVOIDABLE ALARMThe activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation or the negligence of the owner, user, custodian or lessee of an alarm system or of his employees or agents through direct connection to an emergency agency or through notification of an emergency agency by a private answering point or automatic dialing device or through notification to an emergency agency by any second party or means, indicating that an emergency situation exists requiring responses within the Town when, in fact, an emergency situation does not exist.

An avoidable alarm also includes the knowing or intentional activation of an alarm to an emergency agency when the activator knows that an emergency situation does not exist. Avoidable alarm does not include alarms activated by violent conditions of nature such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes or any other similar cause beyond the control of the user of the alarm system. Activation of an alarm system under any circumstances in which the activator reasonably believes that an emergency situation exists is not an avoidable alarm. Notwithstanding any language to the contrary, the defective installation of an alarm system, the failure to repair or cause to be repaired an alarm system or the use of defective equipment in connection with an alarm system shall not constitute an extraordinary circumstance beyond the reasonable control of the alarm user.[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch.

1, General Provisions, Art. I)]EMERGENCY AGENCYAny police department, fire department or other law enforcement agency or ambulance company (public or private) or other agency summoned to respond to an emergency situation and any public safety answering point serving the Town of Webster.LOCAL ALARM SYSTEMA signaling system which, when activated, causes an audible signaling device to be activated outside the premises within which the system is installed.OWNER OF RECORDThe designated owner of the property where the alarm is installed per current Town of Webster Tax Assessment records.PERSONAny person, firm, partnership, corporation, association, company or organization of any kind.PRIVATE ANSWERING POINTA business which offers the service of receiving emergency signals, monitoring said signals and relaying them to an emergency agency.PROPRIETARY SYSTEMAn alarm, sounding and/or recording within the premises protected by the alarm, which is not intended to alert persons outside of the premises on which the alarm system is located of a possible hazard and is not intended to alert an emergency agency, the control center being under the supervision of the proprietor of the protected premises.

If a proprietary system includes a signal line connected directly or by means of an automatic device to an emergency agency or to a private answering point or to a local alarm system, it thereby becomes an "alarm system" as defined in this chapter.POLICE CHIEFThe Police Chief of the Town of Webster or his acting designee.SUBSCRIBERAny person who owns, leases, contracts for or otherwise obtains a fire alarm system or burglar alarm system. A person or entity may be both a subscriber and an alarm business.TOWNThe Town of Webster.