§ 54-56. Misuse of emergency (blue light) towers prohibited.

(a)

Intent. The intent of this section is to prevent the misuse of the village emergency (blue light) towers and minimize public safety responses to false alarms, thereby freeing personnel to attend to actual emergency matters.

(b)

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

Emergency means any situation in which property or human life is in jeopardy and the summoning of prompt aid is essential.

Emergency tower means any device that is capable of transmitting (activating) a call (wireless or landline) to the village dispatch center, or any other designating answering point. The towers may have, but is not necessary to have, a lighting or other system that designates them as an emergency call tower.

Misuse means the intentional activation of a call from the emergency tower, and knowingly giving a false report, or no report, or as a prank when no emergency exists and no valid request is made for emergency service or response.

(c)

General provisions. It shall be a violation of this section for any person to intentionally activate the emergency tower and knowingly give a false report, or no report, or as a prank when no emergency exists and no valid request is made for emergency service or response.

(1)

It shall also be violation to knowingly encourage, aid or permit another to make a call as defined above.

(2)

Each activation of the tower shall be considered a violation.

(3)

This section does not preclude the investigating agency from pursuing criminal charges or other penalties.

(4)

A parent or legal guardian of a minor may be found liable for any injury or damage which may result from the misuse of the emergency tower and the penalties may be imposed under W.S.A., § 895.035.

(5)

Parents or legal guardian may be held liable for the acts of their child guardianship.

(d)

Penalty. Any person violating any provision of this section shall be fined in an amount as specified in the most current village board resolution.

(Ord. No. 858, § I, 9-18-12)