[Ord. 239, 8/12/1991,
§ 1]
For purposes of this Part, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
ALARM
A communication to the Police Department indicating that
a crime, fire or other emergency situation warranting immediate action
by the Police Department has occurred or is occurring.
ALARM DEVICE
A mechanical device designed to automatically transmit an
alarm by wires, telephone, radio or other means:
(1)
Directly to the Police Department.
(2)
To a person who is instructed to notify the Police Department
of the alarm.
FALSE ALARM
An alarm to which the Police Department responds resulting
from the activation of an alarm device when a crime, fire or other
emergency warranting immediate action by the Police Department has
not, in fact, occurred.
PERMIT HOLDER
A person to whom the Police Department has issued a permit
pursuant to the terms of this Part.
PERSON
An individual, corporation, partnership, incorporated association
or other similar entity.
[Ord. 239, 8/12/1991,
§ 2]
No property owner, tenant or other person occupying premises within the Township may install, or cause the installation of, an alarm device after the effective date of this Part without first obtaining a permit from the Police Department ("permit") to do so. No person may install, or cause the installation of, an alarm device serving premises inside the Township after the effective date of this Part without first obtaining a permit from the Police Department to do so in the event that such alarm device triggers an alarm. A permit shall also be required for the revision or upgrading of an existing alarm device, but the fee referred to in §
13-103 hereof shall not be charged in such an instance. A permit shall also be required to maintain an alarm device in place before the effective date of this Part, but the fee referred to in §
13-103 hereof shall not be charged for its issuance, and the permit need not be obtained until 90 days after the effective date of this Part.
[Ord. 239, 8/12/1991,
§ 3]
1. The Police Department shall be empowered to require any person applying
for a permit to follow such reasonable rules and regulations in the
installation and maintenance of the alarm device as the Police Department
shall promulgate to carry out the purpose of this Part; provided,
however, that such rules and regulations shall require that person
to comply with the following:
A. Exoneration. That person shall agree, as a condition to the obtaining
of the permit, to release, indemnify and hold the Township, its employees,
officers and agents, harmless for any damage to other parties or property
incurred in responding to an alarm.
B. List of Names. That person shall agree, as a condition to the obtaining
of the permit, to give the Police Department the names of at least
two individuals having access to the premises served by the alarm
device and to the alarm device itself in the event that such individuals
do not reside at the premises and are authorized to enter the premises
at any time, except where the Police Department itself has keys to
the premises and is adequately informed how to operate the alarm device.
[Ord. 239, 8/12/1991,
§ 4; as amended by Ord. 260, 3/11/1996, § 13-104]
The cost of obtaining a permit shall be in as amount as established,
from time to time, by resolution of the Board of Commissioners.
[Ord. 239, 8/12/1991,
§ 5]
1. A permit holder, other than a person operating a commercial establishment,
shall pay fines in accordance with the following schedule for a false
alarm triggered by the alarm device for which a permit was issued
to that permit holder:
A. Free Calls. The first three false alarms in a calendar year: no fine.
B. Fourth through sixth false alarm in a calendar year: $25 per false
alarm.
C. Calls beyond the sixth-all false alarms beyond the sixth in a calendar
year: $50 per false alarm.
[Ord. 239, 8/12/1991,
§ 6]
A permit holder operating a commercial establishment shall pay
a fine of $100 for each false alarm triggered by the alarm device
for which a permit was issued in connection with that permit holder's
commercial establishment.
[Ord. 239, 8/12/1991,
§ 7]
The Township Secretary, or his delegate, shall collect all fees
for a permit issued by the Police Department. Each permit holder with
an alarm device triggering a false alarm shall be informed in writing
by the Chief of the Police Department, or his delegate, of any false
alarm.
[Ord. 239, 8/12/1991,
§ 8; as amended by Ord. 260, 3/11/1996, § 13-108; and by Ord. 2016-01, 3/14/2016]
1. The violation or failure to comply with any provision of this Part
shall constitute an offense and prosecution for such offense shall
be in accordance with the practice in the case of summary convictions.
The fines or penalties for each and every such violation or failure
shall be limited as follows:
A. False Alarm. The fine for a false alarm may in no event exceed the fine proscribed in §§
13-105 or §
13-106 hereof, whichever shall be applicable.
B. Other Provisions. The fine for each and every failure to obtain a permit under §
13-102 hereof; for each and every failure to comply with any provisions set forth in §
13-103 hereof and for each and every failure to pay the fee for obtaining a permit under §
13-104 hereof, upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days. Each day that a violation of this Part continues shall constitute a separate offense.