§ 3-2. Definitions.

Words or terms not defined in this article but defined in applicable state law or the Code of DeKalb County, as Revised 1988, shall be given that meaning. All other words or phrases shall be given their common, ordinary meaning unless the context requires otherwise. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them below except where the text clearly indicates a different meaning:

Alarm system means any system, device or mechanism which, when activated, transmits a telephonic, wireless, electronic, video, or other form of message or signal to an alarm system company, or emits an audible or visible signal that can be heard or seen by persons outside the protected premises, or transmits a message or signal beyond the protected premises in some other fashion. An alarm system may consist of one (1) or more components (e.g., motion detector, window breach detector, or similar components) all reporting to a central unit/system panel which, in turn, is connected or reports to an alarm system company, or constitutes a non-monitored alarm system, i.e., a system that does not transmit a message or signal to an alarm system company. The term "alarm system" does not include any system, device or mechanism primarily protecting a motor vehicle or constituting an individual medical alert.

Alarm system company means a company that charges a fee to monitor an alarm system placed, located, or protecting premises in unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, including alarm system companies whose offices are physically located outside of DeKalb County's geographical boundaries.

Alarm system owner means a person or company that owns or operates an alarm system and is not a customer of an alarm system company.

Company means an individual, sole proprietorship or organization, whether the organization is operated by an individual, association, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity.

Customer of an alarm system company means a person who pays a fee to an alarm system company to monitor an alarm system placed, located, or protecting premises in unincorporated DeKalb County.

Dispatch means the point in time when police officers, emergency medical service providers, or fire personnel are directed to go to a particular location in response to the activation of an alarm system.

Executive assistant means the individual or his/her designee occupying the position of executive assistant as defined in section 14 of the Organizational Act of DeKalb County.

False alarm means any activation of an alarm system that elicits a response from the police department, or the fire department when there is no appearance of an actual emergency or threatened criminal activity necessitating a police or fire response. This definition includes, but is not limited to, any alarm system activated as a result of weather, negligence, accident, mechanical failure, electrical failure, or electrical surge. Activation of an alarm system shall not be considered a false alarm if:

(a)

The police department or fire department is notified prior to dispatch to cancel any response;

(b)

The alarm system was intentionally activated based upon a reasonable belief that an emergency or actual or threatened criminal activity requiring immediate police or fire response existed; or

(c)

The alarm system was activated by an attempted illegal entry of which there is some evidence.

Fire department means the DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department.

Local means within the geographical boundaries of the following counties: Cherokee, Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding and Rockdale.

Police chief means the DeKalb County Police Chief.

Police department means the DeKalb County Police Department.

(Ord. No. 12-07, Pt. I, 5-8-12)