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 Winter Haven
 Code of Ordinances
 Chapter 5.5. EMERGENCY SYSTEMS
 Article II. SECURITY ALARM SYSTEMS

  § 5.5-37. Enforcement and penalties.  

Latest version.

  • (a)

    Enforcement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, violations of any provision of this article shall be subject to enforcement action by the city police department as provided for by general law, and may include a code violation citation provided for by F.S. ch. 162 or prosecution pursuant to section 1-13 of the city's Code of Ordinances. Each separate act in violation of this article shall constitute a separate punishable violation and penalty announced herein.

    (b)

    Monetary and administrative penalties imposed. False and runaway alarms constrict law enforcement resources, constitute a public nuisance, shall be considered unlawful and will subject the alarm user to penalties defined as follows:

    (1)

    No charge for a response to the first false alarm in a calendar month hereafter referred to as "first response."

    (2)

    A twenty-five dollar ($25.00) charge for a response to all other false alarms each calendar month.

    Further, if a law enforcement response is cancelled prior to arrival at a sounded alarm site such an event shall not be counted as a "false alarm."

    (c)

    Penalty assessment. Monetary and administrative penalties shall be assessed by administrative final order of the alarm coordinator. Final orders shall be mailed by United States Mail, certified return receipt requested, to the alarm user of record. In the event there is no alarm user contact information on file in the city police department, the final order shall be mailed by United States Mail, return receipt requested, to the address where the false alarm event occurred. Should any final order be returned and marked as undeliverable, a copy of the final order shall be posted at the false alarm or runaway alarm event site and City Hall, with the posting date serving as the receipt date for appellate period calculation purposes.

    All monetary penalty final orders shall be due and payable to the city police department within thirty (30) days of receipt. After the payment due date expires and to the extent provided by law, any non-paid monetary penalty shall operate as a lien and privilege on the false alarm subject property; shall be superior in right and dignity to all other liens or privileges, including mortgages equal to the lien of taxes until paid; and shall accrue interest at the judgment rate in effect as of the date of issuance.

(Ord. No. O-08-27, § 1, 6-23-08; Ord. No. O-15-31 , § 1, 12-28-15)