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Township of Richland, PA
Allegheny County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (18) Index
[Ord. 414, 6/21/2006, § 2]
1. 
As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
ALARM
A communication to the police departments or fire departments which serve the Township of Richland indicating that a crime or fire or other emergency situation warranting immediate response has occurred or is occurring.
ALARM DEVICE
A self-contained device present inside a building and which is designed to detect the presence of smoke, heat, carbon monoxide or motion and to then emit a sound audible within the building to warn persons therein of such presence.
ALARM SYSTEM
A system designed to automatically transmit an alarm, by wire, telephone, radio or other means, to the County of Allegheny's 911 Dispatch Center or to a person who is instructed to so notify the County of Allegheny's 911 Dispatch Center of the alarm or to activate a bell or other sounding device to be heard outside a building and which is intended to alert the police or others to the existence of a crime or fire or other emergency situation warranting immediate official response.
FALSE ALARM
An alarm to which the Northern Regional Police Department of Allegheny County responds and which results from the activation of an alarm system or alarm device when an actual crime, fire or other emergency warranting immediate responsive action by such Police Department has not, in fact, occurred.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Any fire company serving any portion of the Township of Richland.
PERSON
An individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other similar entity.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Northern Regional Police Department of Allegheny County.
YEAR
Calendar year.
2. 
In this Part, the singular shall include the plural; the plural shall include the singular; and the masculine shall include the feminine and the neuter.
[Ord. 414, 6/21/2006, § 3]
1. 
Any person causing or reporting accidental false alarms for any reason to which the Northern Regional Police Department of Allegheny County responds or the permit holder of an alarm system that transmits such false alarm for any reason shall pay to the Northern Regional Police Department of Allegheny County a charge for each and every false alarm, in each calendar year, as follows:
A. 
False alarm:
(1) 
First false alarm, each calendar year: $50 or proof of yearly maintenance contract in effect for any alarm system involved in transmittal of the false alarm.
(2) 
Second false alarm, each calendar year: $50.
(3) 
Third false alarm, each calendar year: $75.
(4) 
Fourth false alarm, each calendar year: $100.
(5) 
Each false alarm in excess of four, each calendar year: the amount of the charge assessed for the immediately preceding false alarm during that calendar year, plus an additional $25.
2. 
When a false police alarm occurs, the Northern Regional Police Department of Allegheny County shall, within 45 days from the date of the false alarm, notify the permit holder for the alarm system, or owner of the alarm device from which the false alarm originated, or other person causing said false alarm, that a false alarm charge is due and the amount thereof. Such notice shall be in writing and mailed by regular mail, postage paid, to the last known address of the permit holder or other person causing said false alarm.
3. 
A false police alarm charge shall be due and paid to the Northern Regional Police Department of Allegheny County and shall be payable at its headquarters location (230 Pearce Mill Road, Wexford, PA 15090) 30 days from the date of the mailing of the notice of assessment of the charge.
[Ord. 414, 6/21/2006, § 4]
1. 
Any person causing or reporting accidental false alarms for any reason to which the Fire Department responds or the permit holder of an alarm system that transmits such false alarm for any reason shall pay to the Township of Richland a charge for each and every false alarm, in each calendar year, as follows:
A. 
False alarm:
(1) 
First false alarm, each calendar year: $50 or proof of yearly maintenance contract in effect for any alarm system involved in transmittal of the false alarm.
(2) 
Second false alarm, each calendar year: $50.
(3) 
Third false alarm, each calendar year: $75.
(4) 
Fourth false alarm, each calendar year: $100.
(5) 
Each false alarm in excess of four, each calendar year: the amount of the charge assessed for the immediately preceding false alarm during that calendar year, plus an additional $25.
2. 
When a false fire alarm occurs, the Township of Richland shall, within 45 days from the date of the false alarm, notify the permit holder for the alarm system, or owner of the alarm device from which the false alarm originated, or other person causing said false alarm, that a false alarm charge is due and the amount thereof. Such notice shall be in writing and mailed by regular mail, postage paid, to the last known address of the permit holder or other person causing said false alarm.
3. 
A false fire alarm charge shall be due and paid to the Township of Richland of Allegheny County and shall be payable at the Township of Richland Municipal Building, 4011 Dickey Road, Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, 15044, 30 days from the date of the mailing of the notice of assessment of the charge.
[Ord. 414, 6/21/2006, § 5]
No person shall conduct or test any alarm device without first obtaining permission from the Northern Regional Police Department of Allegheny County. Where the equipment is keyed through an intermediary, no such permission is necessary unless the alarm or signal is to be relayed to the central receiving station.
[Ord. 414, 6/21/2006, § 6]
The issuance of a permit for an alarm system shall not constitute acceptance by the Township of Richland of any liability to maintain any such equipment or to answer alarms nor shall it otherwise render the Township of Richland liable to any person for any loss or damage relating to the alarm system or procedure.
[Ord. 414, 6/21/2006, § 7]
Administration and enforcement of this Part shall be the function of the Township of Richland and the Northern Regional Police Department of Allegheny County (to the extent specified herein).
[Ord. 414, 6/21/2006, § 8; as amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. AO)]
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this Part shall, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding commenced by the Township before a Magisterial District Judge, pay a fine of not more than $600, plus all court costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by the Township in the enforcement of this Part. If the defendant neither pays nor timely appeals the judgment, the Township may enforce the judgment pursuant to the applicable Rules of Civil Procedure. Each day a violation exists shall constitute a separate offense. Further, the appropriate officers or agents of the Township are hereby authorized to seek equitable relief, including injunction, to enforce compliance herewith.