[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough
of Somerdale 3-12-1980 by Ord. No. 80:02. Amendments noted where
applicable]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish regulations concerning
the operation and maintenance of certain alarm systems within the
Borough of Somerdale and to provide penalties upon conviction for
violations of any of the provisions set forth herein.
[Amended 6-12-1991 by Ord. No. 91:08]
For the purpose of this chapter, certain words and phrases are
defined as follows:
Any mechanical, electrical or electronic device which is
designed or used for the detection of an unauthorized entry into a
building, structure or facility or for alerting others about the existence
of any other condition requiring response of police, fire or ambulance
personnel and which emits and/or transmits an audible and/or visual
signal or message when actuated. "Alarm system" includes but is not
limited to direct-dial telephone devices, audible alarms and subscriber
alarms.
The Magnolia Ambulance Corps or any other emergency ambulance
service that may be utilized by the Borough of Somerdale.
A device that emits an audible signal from the premises that
it is designed to protect.
The Borough of Somerdale.
A device that, when actuated, causes a recorded message to
be transmitted via telephone to the police communications center stating
that emergency response is necessary.
An alarm signal requiring response of police, fire or ambulance
personnel where an emergency situation does not exist.
The Magnolia Heights Volunteer Fire Company, the Somerdale
Fire Company or any other fire company that may be utilized by the
Borough of Somerdale.
The Somerdale Police Department.
An alarm system that is terminated by direct connection to
the Somerdale police communications center in accordance with regulations
prescribed in separate legislation.
A.
It shall be the responsibility of all persons, entities, firms, corporations
or other groups that maintain alarm systems within the Borough to
provide current information to the police, consisting of the names
and telephone numbers of responsible persons who may be contacted
in case of emergency or who are authorized to provide service to the
alarm system; either must be on a twenty-four-hour basis. This information
is to be filed with the police when the alarm system is initially
placed into service and must be revised immediately whenever changes
are necessary.
B.
Audible alarms must be silenced within 30 minutes after a designated
responsible person is notified to do so by the police, or the alarm
system may be equipped with a timing device that will automatically
silence the audible alarm within 30 minutes after it is actuated.
[Amended 6-12-1991 by Ord. No. 91:08]
C.
Direct-dial alarms must be equipped with a device that will prevent
more than three repeated transmissions of an alarm for the same emergency
to the Somerdale police communications center. Recorded messages must
also include the name and telephone number of a responsible person
who may be contacted by the police in case of an emergency on a twenty-four-hour
basis.
D.
It shall be the responsibility of all persons, entities, firms, corporations
or other groups that maintain alarm systems within the Borough to
prevent the transmission of false alarms through a program of training
and periodic inspection and maintenance of the system.
[Amended 6-12-1991 by Ord. No. 91:08]
E.
If any person, entity, firm, corporation or other group is repairing, maintaining or otherwise working on an alarm system and fails to notify the communication center or other appropriate officials before doing so and a false alarm results therefrom, then such person, entity, firm, corporation or other group shall be charged with a false alarm, which false alarm shall count toward the maximum permissible number allowed under § 70-3D above.
[Added 6-12-1991 by Ord. No. 91:08]
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the general
alerting alarms that may be used by fire companies, ambulance squads
or civil defense agencies to summon response of their members. The
provisions of this chapter shall not apply to alarm systems that are
affixed to motor vehicles.
The provisions contained herein shall apply equally to those
alarm systems that were placed in service prior to or subsequent to
the effective date of this chapter.
[Added 6-12-1991 by Ord. No. 91:08]
The Borough of Somerdale or any of its police, fire or ambulance
personnel shall not assume any responsibility whatsoever to any person,
entity, firm, corporation or other group with respect to the adequacy,
operation or maintenance of any private alarm system. No action taken
by any Borough personnel pursuant to the provisions of this chapter
shall create any liability upon the Borough by reason of any failure
of any private alarm system or any failure to respond to any private
alarm system.
[Amended 9-12-1990 by Ord. No. 90:09]
B.
Each incident shall be considered a separate offense.
