[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Montague 9-13-05 as Ord. No. 2005-16. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards and regulations concerning the installation, operation and maintenance of certain alarm systems within the Township of Montague and to reduce or eliminate false alarms.
A. 
ALARM SYSTEM — Any device employed to call attention to, or provide warning of, intrusion by any person whether the same provides a visual or audio response, alarm or warning. The term "alarm system" shall not include:
(1) 
Concealed battery or electrically powered smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector units located within single family residences and which give out audible signal;
(2) 
Automobile alarm systems;
(3) 
An alarm designed to alert only the inhabitants of a premises that does not have a sounding device which can be heard on the exterior of the alarm site.
B. 
CENTRAL ALARM STATION — An alarm station that transmits that alarm to an alarm processing center which then calls to dispatch the Police and/or the Fire Department.
C. 
DIAL ALARM — An alarm device using telephone or other lines which transmits an alarm signal or intrusion to the New Jersey State Police Department or any other third party.
D. 
FALSE ALARM — Any alarm or signal activated or transmitted by inadvertent, negligent, unintentional or intentional act or omission of a person (caused or transmitted other than by an intruder), and shall also include alarms caused by malfunctioning of the alarm device or other related equipment. False alarms shall not include:
(1) 
Activation caused by power or phone line interruptions which such interruptions have been reported to the New Jersey State Police; an alarm which is canceled by the owner registrant, or agent, prior to the time the responding police officer is dispatched to the alarm site; and
(2) 
When the responding police officer finds evidence of criminal offense or attempted criminal offense, or calamity such as fire damage by natural elements.
E. 
LOCAL ALARM — Any alarm device or local alarm located within the Township of Montague which, when activated, produces an audible or visual signal (such as, but not limited to, burglar alarm activating bell devices). It shall not include motor vehicle anti-theft alarms.
F. 
PERSON — A natural person, partnership, corporation, association or other entity.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to any person who owns, operates, leases, or maintains any type of alarm or alarm system as defined in Section 19B-2 herein. The provisions of this chapter shall in no way prohibit service by a private source to persons within or without the township, so long as such operating, leasing or maintaining a premises protected by an alarm system shall be responsible in accordance with this chapter.
It shall be unlawful for any person to cause, allow or activate a false alarm as defined in this section. In case of a false alarm, any person and any registrant who violates this section shall each be subject to the provisions herein. In case of a false alarm, any person having knowledge of the false alarm shall immediately notify the New Jersey State Police. The New Jersey State Police shall be responsible for enforcing this section.
A. 
The provisions of this section shall not apply to any alarm system installed on the property owned or occupied by any township, county, state or federal government agency or office, or to any alarm device having only an indoor audible or visual/flashing system, and which are not dial alarm devices.
B. 
Alarm devices having an audible alarm installed out-of-doors shall be designed to limit the operation of a bell or sound producing instrument to a maximum or 20 minutes after activation. If the duration of an outside activated audible alarm exceeds 20 minutes, the warnings and penalties shall apply as though a false alarm has been activated.
The Township Committee may from time to time promulgate rules and regulations supplementing this chapter in order to provide for record keeping and efficient management of the system.
Any person, firm, corporation or other entity who violates the terms of this chapter, including but not limited to other provisions of this chapter, shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $250, provided, however, that the following minimum and mandatory fines shall apply to false alarms.
A. 
For the first two false alarms in any 12 month period, a warning shall be issued.
B. 
For the third false alarm within the 12 month period, a fine of $50 shall be paid to the Township of Montague.
C. 
For the fourth and subsequent false alarms in any 12 month period, a fine not to exceed $250 for each occurrence shall be paid to the Township of Montague, and which shall be accompanied by an advisory letter (dated within 30 days following the date on which the complaint was issued) from an alarm company stating that the system is operating properly. Failure to provide such advisory letter will constitute a separate offense, subject to penalty after $250.
In the event the State Police determine the person has failed to take reasonable steps to avoid false alarms, the State Police shall have the right to require the alarm to be disconnected for either a limited amount of time or permanently. However, no such disconnection shall take place without providing the person an opportunity to show cause before the Municipal Court why such action should not be taken. The occurrence of three or more false alarms in any calendar month shall raise the presumption that the person is disregarding the responsibility to take reasonable remedial steps to avoid false alarms.