[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Township
of Mount Olive 1-26-1982 by Ord. No. 4-82; amended in its entirety 11-23-2004 by Ord. No.
38-2004 (Ch. 76 of the 1990 Code). Subsequent amendments
noted where applicable.]
A.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide standards and regulations
for various types of intrusion, burglar, holdup, fire and any other
emergency alarm equipment, whether by producing a visual or audible
signal or whether by direct line, radio, telephone or other means
actuating a device or system which contacts the police communications
center of Mount Olive Township and requiring response by the Police
Department. Fire Department or other municipal agencies. The goal
being to provide a quicker and safer response to the community by
emergency personnel with the assistance from alarms which help deter
crime.
B.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to alarm businesses and
to any person or corporation who operates, maintains or owns any alarm
device system or local alarm designed to produce a visual or audible
signal of an emergency or designed to summon the Police, Fire Department
or other municipal agency.
For the purpose of this chapter, certain words and phrases are
defined as follows:
Any mechanical measure or electrical unit incorporating the
detector, control equipment and the alarm-sounding device in one unit,
providing warning of intrusion, fire, smoke, flood or other peril.
Any alarm system or combination of devices or systems installed
for one or more buildings at a location other than that of the alarm
console.
Any electrical or mechanical equipment or any assembly of
equipment or devices designed to signal the presence of an emergency
or a hazard requiring urgent attention and to which the Police, Fire
or EMS Department may be expected to respond.
The Police Department or a designated representative, including
but not limited to the Police Chief, Acting Police Chief, Fire Marshal
and/or the Fire Subcode Official of the Township of Mount Olive.
Any alarm or signal of an alarm system activated by inadvertence,
negligence, intentional/unintentional act or alarms caused by mechanical
failure, malfunctioning, improper installation or maintenance of the
alarm system and related equipment are considered to be "false alarms."
The owner or registrant of the alarm system is held responsible for
all false alarms. In the absence of evidence of a burglary or attempted
burglary or other emergency, it shall be presumed that an alarm is
of a false nature.[1]
The abbreviation for Underwriters' Laboratories.
[1]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "registrant," which
immediately followed this definition, was repealed 10-30-2018 by Ord.
No. 28-2018.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 102-3, Registration required,
was repealed 10-30-2018 by Ord. No. 28-2018.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection A, regarding registration
of alarms, was repealed 10-30-2018 by Ord. No. 28-2018.
All dial alarms are prohibited.
It shall be the responsibility of the owner/manager or agent
of the facility to ensure the alarm system is working properly.
A.
All fire alarm systems shall be installed in accordance with the
fire prevention laws of the Township or higher authority.
B.
Any person testing any alarm shall notify the Police Department immediately
prior to and after the testing is completed. Failure to do so shall
subject that alarm system to the penalties provided for false alarms.
[Amended 3-28-2006 by Ord. No. 8-2006]
A.
For each false alarm of any kind communicated to the police or fire
communications facility, a record shall be kept by the Police Department
and/or the Fire Marshal's office and an investigation shall be
conducted, and where it is determined that such false alarms originate
at the premises, the following procedure shall be adhered to:
(1)
For the first alarm in any given calendar year, a warning shall be
issued by the enforcing agent.
(2)
For the second false alarm in a non-single-family residence in any
given calendar year, a penalty of $100 shall be paid to the Township
of Mount Olive.
(3)
For the third false alarm in a non-single-family residence in any
given calendar year, a penalty of $150 shall be paid to the Township
of Mount Olive.
(4)
For each subsequent false alarm in a non-single-family residence
in any given calendar year after the third, the fine will increase
by $100 for each subsequent false alarm and be paid to the Township
of Mount Olive.
(5)
In the case of a single-family residence, the owner and/or occupant
shall be issued a warning notice for the first and second false alarm
in any calendar year. For the third and each subsequent false alarm,
a penalty of $25 shall be paid to the Township of Mount Olive.
(6)
The Fire Marshal's office shall maintain all false alarm activity
reports and shall collect all fines imposed. All monies received shall
be turned over to the Finance Department within 48 hours of receipt.
B.
For burglar alarms only, in the event that the enforcing agent discovers
that more than two false alarms have originated with any permittee
or there is continued abuse of the privilege of connection to the
alarm console or a disregard of the permittee for taking remedial
steps to avoid false alarms, the enforcing agent shall have the right
to require disconnection from the alarm console for a limited or permanent
time, provided that no such permit shall be revoked or suspended without
giving the permittee an opportunity to show cause why such action
should not be taken.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 102-9, Fees, was repealed 10-30-2018
by Ord. No. 28-2018.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any alarm device or alarm system to ring
or put forth any sound which is audible on the exterior of the building
for a period in excess of 30 minutes. Any violation of this requirement
shall be punishable by a penalty of not more than $50 for each violation.
B.
Each false alarm after the two warnings shall each be fined $50 per
activation in any given calendar year.
[Amended 10-30-2018 by Ord. No.
28-2018]
C.
Any person having a dial alarm device which calls a general police
or fire number, upon discovery thereof, shall receive notice, in writing,
from the enforcing agent requiring the owner to comply with the terms
of this chapter within 10 days, or he shall be liable to a penalty
of $50.
D.
Any person, firm or corporation who violates any provision of this
chapter shall, upon conviction thereof be punishable by one or more
of the following: by imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days
or by a fine not exceeding $1,000 or by a period of community service
not exceeding 90 days.
E.
Each incident shall be considered a separate violation.
F.
Appeals can be made to the Chief of Police or his designee for residential
alarm fines. The written appeal must be made within five business
days of notification.
