[Ord. No. 960, 10/5/2020]
In order to promote and protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents of Elizabeth Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, the Township Board of Commissioners has determined that it is necessary to amend the Township's Code of Ordinances to provide penalties for false alarms.
[Ord. No. 960, 10/5/2020]
1. 
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this Part:
EMERGENCY SERVICES
The services provided by the Elizabeth Township Police Department, Fire Departments and/or any emergency agency or provider operating within Elizabeth Township or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
FALSE ALARM
Any activation of an alarm system by inadvertence, negligence, intentional or unintentional acts or means, to which emergency services of the Elizabeth Township Police Department, Fire Departments and/or other emergency services agencies or providers respond and where it is determined that the alarm was not the result of a crime in progress, fire, medical or other emergency necessitating a response by emergency services.
[Ord. No. 960, 10/5/2020]
It shall be unlawful for the property owner, lessee, or any person occupying, in control of or otherwise on or in any premises within Elizabeth Township to make or cause to be made a false alarm, directly or indirectly, to any emergency services agency or provider responding to alarms within the Township.
[Ord. No. 960, 10/5/2020]
1. 
Whether an alarm is a false alarm as defined herein is to be determined by the Elizabeth Township Police or Fire Departments or other affected emergency services agency or provider in its sole judgment.
2. 
Service fees for false alarms shall be assessed by and paid to Elizabeth Township as follows:
A. 
A fourth false alarm in any one calendar year shall be subject to a service fee of $100 to residential homeowners and $200 to commercial buildings.
B. 
A fifth false alarm in any one calendar year shall be subject to a service fee of $100 to residential homeowners and $200 to commercial buildings.
C. 
A sixth false alarm in any one calendar year shall be subject to a service fee of $500 to residential homeowners and commercial buildings.
D. 
All subsequent false alarms in any one calendar year shall be subject to a service fee of $800 plus prosecution in accordance with this Part.
3. 
These fees may be amended by the Board of Commissioners Council by resolution.
4. 
The Elizabeth Township Police Department and the Elizabeth Township Code Enforcement Department shall be responsible for administering the terms of this Part.
[Ord. No. 960, 10/5/2020]
1. 
In the event a violation of this Part occurs, in addition to such other remedies as may be available under existing law, Elizabeth Township may institute an action in equity to prevent, restrain, correct, abate or enjoin such violation.
2. 
Any person, whether as principal or agent, who violates this Part, fails to comply with any provision of this Part, or assigns or abets its violation shall, upon conviction thereof, before any Magisterial District Judge, be sentenced to pay a fine no less than $300 and not more than $500, together with the costs of prosecution and service fees as set forth above. In default of the payment of said fine, costs and service fees, he or she shall be committed to the county jail for a period not exceeding 30 days.