[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Brewster as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 5-13-1975 ATM, Art. 34]
It shall be unlawful to install, maintain or use a mechanical protection device that is automatically keyed to and/or activates the telephone (numbers) lines controlled by and/or listed to the Brewster Fire Department and/or Police Department without written approval of the department head. All such devices shall be removed or shall obtain the appropriate written approval within 60 days of the effective date of this article.
For the purpose of this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
MECHANICAL PROTECTION DEVICES
An electrically operated instrument composed of sensory apparatus and related hardware which automatically sends over regular telephone lines, by direct connection or otherwise, prerecorded voice alarm upon receipt of a stimulus from the sensory apparatus that has detected a physical force or unauthorized intrusion or condition inherently characteristic of a fire.
[Added 5-14-1984 ATM, Art. 62]
Any person violating this article shall be punished by a fine of not more than $50 for each offense. Each day, or portion of a day, that the violation is allowed to continue is considered a separate offense.
[Adopted 5-11-1987 ATM, Art. 88]
For the purpose of this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
ALARM SYSTEM
An assembly of equipment and devices or a single device, such as a solid state unit, which plugs directly into a one-hundred-ten-volt AC line, arranged to signal the presence of a hazard or emergency requiring urgent attention and to which police, emergency medical personnel or firefighters are expected to respond. Fire alarm systems and alarm systems which monitor temperature, smoke, humidity or any other condition not directly related to the detection of an unauthorized intrusion into a premises or an attempted break-in at a premises are included.
FALSE ALARM
A. 
The activation of an alarm system by an agency other than a bona fide hazard or emergency of a type which the system is designed to warn against. For fire hazard or emergency of a type which the system is designed to warn against. For purpose of this definition, activation of alarm systems by acts of vandals or by acts of God, including but not limited to hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes and similar weather or atmospheric disturbances or power failure shall not be deemed to be a false alarm.
B. 
Any signal or oral communication transmitted to the Police or Fire Department requesting, requiring or resulting in a response on the part of the Police or Fire Department in the absence of any bona fide hazard or emergency.
USERS
The owner-occupant, and his/her agents, of the premises containing the alarm systems, whether residential, commercial or otherwise.
A. 
Every user shall submit to the Police and/or Fire Chief the names and telephone numbers of at least two other persons who are authorized to respond to an emergency signal transmitted by an alarm system and who can open the premises wherein the alarm system is installed.
B. 
All alarm systems, except fire alarm systems installed after the effective date of this article, which use an audible horn or bell shall be equipped with a device that will shut off such horn or bell within 10 minutes after activation of the system.
C. 
Any alarm system emitting a continuous and uninterrupted signal for more than 15 minutes between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. which cannot be shut off or otherwise curtailed due to the absence or unavailability of the alarm user or those persons designated by him under Subsection A of this section and which disturbs the peace, comfort or repose of a community, a neighborhood or a considerable number of inhabitants of the area where the alarm system is located shall constitute a public nuisance and be subject to the penalties described in § 58-6 below. Upon receiving complaints regarding such a continuous and uninterrupted signal, the Police or Fire Chief shall endeavor to contact the alarm user or members of the alarm user's family or those persons designated by the alarm users under Subsection A of this section in an effort to abate nuisance. The Police and/or Fire Chief shall cause to be recorded the names and addresses of all complaints and the time each complaint was made.
A. 
Upon receipt of three or more false alarms from the same system within a calendar year, the Police or Fire Chief may, in writing, order:
(1) 
The user to discontinue the use of the alarm.
(2) 
That any direct connections to the Police or Fire Departments be disconnected.
(3) 
That any further connection to the communications console in the Police or Fire Station be contingent upon the user equipping any alarm system with a device that will shut off any audible horn or bell within 10 minutes after activation of the system.
(4) 
That the alarm system be changed, modified, repaired, upgraded or replaced to eliminate false alarms.
B. 
The user shall be assessed a fee of $50 for each false alarm in excess of three occurring within the calendar year. All fines assessed and collected hereunder shall be paid to the Town Treasurer for deposit in the General Fund.
C. 
Whoever violates a written order of the Police or Fire Chief as set forth in Subsection A of this section shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $50 for each offense, and each day a violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.