[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hillburn 10-27-1999 by L.L. No. 1-1999 (Ch. 2 of the 1977 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Fire prevention — See Ch. 80.
Noise — See Ch. 154.
Offenses — See Ch. 172.
This chapter shall be known as the "Automated Alarm Systems Law of the Village of Hillburn."
The Police Department of the Town of Ramapo, which provides service to the Village of Hillburn, has reported to the Village of Hillburn 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 the Village from the sorely needed services of our emergency forces and exposing 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 to 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. It is, furthermore, not the intent of this chapter to penalize alarm users whose false alarm was the result of an act of God or an actual attempted intrusion.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
ALARM USER
Any person, firm, corporation or business entity upon whose premises an alarm device is installed or operating.
ALARM DEVICE
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 a 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.
ALARM INSTALLER
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.
FALSE ALARM
A signal transmitted to either the Fire or Police Department 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.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Police Department of the Town of Ramapo.
PREMISES
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 Department within 10 days after the installation of said alarm devices. Said registration shall provide the following information:
(1) 
Name, home address and telephone number of the owner(s).
(2) 
Business address and telephone number of the owner(s).
(3) 
Name, address and telephone number of any person, living within the Village of Hillburn, who shall be deemed to be a caretaker, handyman or person watching the premises for the owner, if there be any such person.
(4) 
Name, address and telephone number of the company which owns, leases, rents, installs and/or maintains the automatic fire alarm system.
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.
Any alarm installer contracted to install an alarm device or system of alarm devices must be licensed to perform home improvements pursuant to a license issued by the Rockland County Office of Consumer Protection.
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. Any false alarm due to an act of God or power failure shall not be subject to enforcement.
If an alarm device activates an outside audible signal, such outside audible signal cannot be broadcast for more than 30 minutes after initial activation.
A. 
A violation of §§ 50-4 and 50-5 shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $250.
B. 
A violation of §§ 50-6 and 50-7 shall be punishable by the following penalties:
(1) 
For a first conviction: a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $50.
(2) 
For a second or subsequent conviction within a twelve-month period: a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $100 for each such conviction.
[Amended 2-23-2021 by L.L. No. 1-2021]
The Police Department, Building Inspector, Code Enforcement Officer, Fire Inspector or any other person authorized by the Board of Trustees shall have the power, right and authority to issue an appearance ticket, as the same is defined in Article 150 of the Criminal Procedures Law of the State of New York, for the violation of any section of this chapter.