[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village
of Suffern 1-27-1986 by L.L. No. 1-1986. Amendments noted where applicable]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Noise — See Ch. 175.
There have been reported to the Board of Trustees by the Volunteer
Fire Department and Police Department extraordinary numbers
of false alarms emanating from automated devices. These false alarms
unnecessarily require that our police and firemen 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 exposing the emergency volunteers
to unnecessary hazards and risks. Therefore, it is the intent of this
chapter to provide a mechanism whereby those responsible for the creation
of these false alarms are 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 its
intended function.
For the purpose 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 is audible, visible or
electronic and whether such signal is automatic or otherwise.
Any person, firm, corporation or business entity upon whose
premises an alarm device is installed or operating.
A signal transmitted to either the Fire or Police Department
indicating that a fire or criminal act or emergency is occurring when,
in fact, neither a criminal act nor fire nor emergency is occurring.
[Amended 6-5-2006 by L.L. No. 5-2006]
It shall be unlawful for any alarm user to permit or allow,
whether intentionally or unintentionally or whether due to malefaction
or otherwise, an alarm device to signal a false alarm. The Fire Inspector,
the Code Enforcement Officer or the Police Department of the Village
of Suffern is authorized to issue a warning or an appearance ticket
upon the occurence of a false alarm.
Any person convicted of a violation of this chapter within one
year after the issuance of a warning to such person or to any member
of his household or to an agent shall be subject to the following
penalties for all subsequent false alarms which occur more than 72
hours after the issuance of a warning:
