[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees
of the Village of Haverstraw 9-20-1993 by L.L. No. 5-1993. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as the "Automated
Alarm Systems Law of the Village of Haverstraw."
The Police and Fire Departments of the Village
of Haverstraw have reported to the Board of Trustees extraordinary
numbers of false alarms emanating from automated alarm systems. These
false alarms unnecessarily require that our Police and Volunteer Fire
Departments respond in an emergency fashion to signals which should
not have been created in the first place, depriving the citizens of
this village from the sorely needed services of our emergency forces
and expose the police and firemen to unnecessary hazards and risks.
Therefore, it is the intent of this chapter to reduce the occurrence
of false alarms and provide a mechanism whereby those responsible
for the creation of these false alarms be dealt with in an appropriate
fashion. It is not the intent to discourage the use of automated equipment,
but rather to encourage the use of automated equipment that fulfills
the function it is intended to perform.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following
terms shall have the following meanings:
A mechanical, electrical or electronic device which when
activated, will transmit a signal which is intended to create a response
from either a Fire Department or Police Department, or other emergency
service, whether or not the signal generated be audible, visible or
electronic, and whether such signal be automatic or otherwise.
Any person, firm, corporation or business entity which has
installed and/or receives compensation for service or maintenance
of a burglar or fire alarm device from a resident upon whose property
the device has been installed, excluding motor vehicles.
Any person, firm, corporation or business entity, upon whose
premises or in whose motor vehicle an alarm device is installed or
operating.
A signal transmitted to either fire or police departments,
or a central alarm station, or an outside audible signal indicating
that a fire or criminal act or emergency is occurring, when in fact
neither a criminal act or fire or emergency is occurring.
Any car, truck, van, trailer or any other vehicle that requires
registration pursuant to the Vehicle and Traffic Law of the State
of New York.
Any building, dwelling or residence on which an alarm device
has been installed.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any alarm installer to install
an alarm device or system of alarm devices or an alarm user to own,
have or maintain the same on a premises without registering the same
with the Police or Fire Department, as applicable, within 10 days
after the installation of said alarm devices. Said registration shall
provide the following information:
(1)
The name, home address and telephone number of the
owner(s).
(2)
The business address and telephone number of the owner(s).
(3)
The name, address and telephone number of any person
living within the Village of Haverstraw who shall be deemed to be
a caretaker, handyman or person watching the premises for the owner,
if there be any such person.
(4)
The name, address and telephone number of the company
which owns, leases, rents, installs and/or maintains the automatic
fire alarm systems.
B.
Each person submitting registration information shall
receive an Alarm Device System Registration permit which must be prominently
displayed on the premises where the alarm device system is located.
C.
All existing alarm users must register their alarm
device or system of alarm devices within 90 days of the effective
date of this chapter.
D.
This section shall not apply to motor vehicles.
[Amended 8-11-1997 by L.L. No. 4-1997]
Any alarm installer contracted to install an
alarm device or system of alarm devices must be licensed by all applicable
licensing authorities.
It shall be unlawful for any alarm user or alarm
installer to permit or allow an alarm device to signal a false alarm
whether intentionally or unintentionally, or whether due to malfunction
or otherwise.
If an alarm device activates an outside audible
signal, such outside audible signal cannot be broadcast for more than
30 minutes after initial activation.
[Amended 5-5-2014 by L.L. No. 6-2014]
B.
(1)
First three false alarms within a twelve-month period:
no charge; warning only by certified mail.
(2)
Fourth false alarm within a twelve-month period: a
fine of not less than $100 nor more than $250.
(3)
Fifth or subsequent conviction within a twelve-month
period: a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $500 for each conviction.
[Amended 5-5-2014 by L.L. No. 6-2014]
The Police Department, Fire Inspector, Building
Inspector and the Code Enforcement Officer shall have the power, right
and authority to issue an appearance ticket for the violation of any
section of this chapter.
