Sec. 2‑3‑1       Number of false alarms; free response limited.

Every establishment or residence within the city limits having an electronic, telephone, or mechanical burglar or fire alarm system, including those alarms which are audible or visible on premises, shall be entitled to report a combined maximum of three (3) false alarms, to which the Conway Police Department and/or Conway Fire Department will respond in the appropriate manner, without charge in each calendar quarter. False fire alarms within Conway's fire district will be governed by the guidelines as stated above. (Ord. of 11/22/82, as amended by Ord. No. 89‑3‑27(F), 3/27/89)

Amendment Note: The last sentence was added to the above section by Ord. No. 89‑3‑27(F).

Sec. 2‑3‑2      Same; administrative fees in certain cases and penalty for nonpayment of administrative feels).

(a) An administrative fee of $25 is hereby imposed for each false alarm in excess of the limits stated in section 2‑3‑1 and shall be due within 30 days from date of the administrative fee bill.

(b) Failure to pay any administrative fee within the 30 day period constitutes a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $200, plus court costs, in addition to the administrative fee due, or imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days.

(c) Each past due administrative fee shall be considered a distinct and separate offense. (Ord. of 11/22/82, as amended by Ord. No. 88‑3‑28(A), 3/28/88)

Amendment Note: Ord. No. 88‑3‑28(A) added the penalty for nonpayment of the administrative fee to the above section.

Sec. 2‑3‑3      Natural disturbance:: not counted against limitation.

Whenever four (4) or more alarms from separate establishments or residences within the city or within the Conway fire district are received on the control panel and/or by telephone at the law enforcement center and/or fire department, within any 3( minute period, which subsequently turn out to be false alarms, the same shall be conclusive evidence of natural disturbance: (such as electrical storms, etc.) and no charge shall be imposed by the city nor shall alarms occurring during such periods be counted toward the allowance above. (Ord. of 11/22/82, a: amended by Ord. No. 89‑3‑27(F), 3/27/89)

Amendment Note: Area in the Conway Fire District outside the city limits was added to the above provision by Ord. No. 893‑27 (F) .

Sec. 2‑3‑4      Grace period for new installations.

A 30 day grace period, during which no alarms will be counted, shall be permitted for each new installation. (Ord. of 11/22/82)

Sec. 2‑3‑5      False alarm, defined.

"False alarm" means an alarm signal or recorded message indicating, in the case of a burglar alarm, an at‑:empted ox unauthorized intrusion into a structure or the attempted commission of a crime, or indicating, in the case of a fire alarm, the presence of fire or excessive smoke or heat, when it fact no evidence exists upon inspection of the premises upon response to such alarm that, in the case of a burglar alarm, that unauthorized intrusion or crime was attempted or committed in oz about the structure, or in the case of fire alarm, that no evidence exists of fire, excessive smoke, or heat. (Ord. of 11/22/82)

Sec. 2‑3‑6      Determination of false alarm.

The investigating police officer or fire fighter responding to an alarm shall determine if the alarm is a false alarm. (Ord. of 11/22/82)

Sec. 2‑3‑7      False fire alarm.

It shall be unlawful for any person to make, report or turn in any false alarm of fire. (Code 1978, Sec. 2‑2004)

Sec. 2‑3‑8      Tampering with alarm system

It shall be unlawful for any person to tamper in any manner with the fire alarm box, switch, wiring or any other portion of the fire alarm system. (Code 1978, Sec. 2‑2005)

2‑11        Supp. No. 5, 4‑89