[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township of Howell as indicated in article histories. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted by Ord. No. O-86-44, as amended through Ord. No. O-88-61 (§ 3-17 of the 1974 Code)]
The purpose of this article is to regulate and provide penalties for false alarms in the Township of Howell, the control of which is the responsibility of the user, owner or the person that maintains such alarm systems.
The following terms shall have the following meanings under this article:
ALARM SYSTEM
Equipment or a device or an assembly of equipment and devices designed to signal the presence of an emergency or hazard requiring urgent attention and to which the Police may be expected to respond. This article shall not apply to fire alarms.
[Amended 9-23-2014 by Ord. No. O-14-27[1]]
FALSE ALARM
Any alarm or signal of an alarm system activated by inadvertence, negligence, intentional or unintentional act of a person, other than by an intruder, and shall include, as well, alarms caused by malfunctioning of the alarm device or other relevant equipment, but shall not include alarms caused by weather-related events, power outages, or other events decided by the Township Alarm Administrator.
[Amended 9-23-2014 by Ord. No. O-14-27]
FALSE ALARM FEE
The fee charged for false alarms as provided for in § 139-51 of the Revised General Ordinances of the Township of Howell.
[Added 9-23-2014 by Ord. No. O-14-27]
LOCAL ALARM
Any alarm or device which, when actuated, produces a signal not connected to another source, such as store burglar alarms actuating bell devices.
SUBSCRIBE
A person who buys, leases, or otherwise obtains an alarm signalling system and thereafter either contracts with or hires an alarm business to monitor and/or service the alarm device, or performs such service himself.
TOWNSHIP ALARM ADMINISTRATOR
The Chief of Police, or his designee, or any other person authorized by the Township Council responsible for the enforcement of this article and any administrative duties regarding the regulation and control of alarm systems in the Township of Howell.
[Amended 4-6-2010 by Ord. No. O-10-05; 9-23-2014 by Ord. No. O-14-27]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed the former definition of "administrative fee," which immediately preceded this definition.
[Amended 4-6-2010 by Ord. No. O-10-05; 9-23-2014 by Ord. No. O-14-27]
In the event of a false alarm, any person having knowledge thereof shall immediately notify the Howell Township Police Communications Center (732) 938-4111.
[Amended 4-6-2010 by Ord. No. O-10-05]
See Chapter 139, Fees, Article XVIII, Licenses and Permits (Miscellaneous), § 139-51, of the Revised General Ordinances of the Township of Howell.
No violation shall be assessed to any owner or person that maintains an alarm system as provided for and defined herein during the first 30 days of installation and actuation.[2]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 50-5, Appeal of fee charges, was repealed 9-23-2014 by Ord. No. O-14-27. This ordinance also redesignated former § 50-6 as § 50-5.
[2]
Editor's Note: Former § 50-7, Duration of noise from alarm; penalty, which immediately followed this section, was repealed 9-23-2014 by Ord. No. O-14-27.