§ 50-2. False alarms.

(a)

Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Alarm system means any mechanism, equipment or device designed to detect the unlawful entry or attempted unlawful entry into any premises, to detect a robbery in progress, or to detect a fire in the unincorporated and incorporated areas of the county, the report of which is then transmitted to or through or is in any manner connected with a communications system which is designed to operate automatically or ultimately through the use of public telephone facilities to transmit a signal, message or warning to the alarm company or sheriff's office.

False alarm means alarms attributable to faulty equipment, negligence on the part of the manufacturer or installer or user of said equipment. False alarms do not include those alarms caused by acts of God.

Sheriff means the sheriff of the county, or a deputy acting on his behalf.

Subscriber means any person utilizing an alarm system in the unincorporated area of the county.

(b)

Subscribers shall be permitted three false alarms within any six-month or 180-consecutive day time period.

(c)

It shall be unlawful for a subscriber to permit four false alarms and any subsequent false alarms thereafter within any six-month, or 180-consecutive day time periods. The subscriber shall be issued a citation by the sheriff and shall be subject to a $100.00 fine.

(d)

It is the responsibility of the subscriber to provide accurate and detailed directions for responding to the person(s) or entity responsible for monitoring the alarm; so that said directions can be relayed to central communications in the event of an actual alarm.

(e)

This section, with the exception of subsection (d) of this section, does not apply to any and all hospitals, schools, nursing homes or governmental agencies, including buildings owned by property owners associations.

(Code 1993, § 48-2; Ord. No. 00-25, arts. 1—5, 6-8-2000)

State law reference

Ordinance violations, A.C.A. §§ 14-14-906, 14-20-101.