[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Washington
10-26-1995 by Ord. No. 26-1995 as Sec. 4-6A of the 1994 Code. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish regulations concerning the
operation and maintenance of certain alarm systems within the Township and
to provide penalties upon conviction for violation of any of the provisions
set forth herein.
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 about the commission of an unlawful act within
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 systems include, but are not limited to, direct dial
telephone devices, audible alarms and subscriber alarms.
A device that emits an audible signal from the premises that it is
designated to protect.
A device which, when actuated, causes a recorded message to be transmitted,
via telephone, to the Washington Township Police Communications Center, and/or
the Gloucester County Communications Center, stating that emergency response
is necessary.
An alarm signal necessitating response by the Police or Fire Department
where an emergency does not exist. An alarm which has been activated by an
external source that is beyond the reasonable control of the subscriber shall
not be considered false.
Grenloch Fire Company, Whitman Square Fire Company, Hurffville Fire
Company, i.e.; Washington Township Fire District #1.
Washington Township Police Department.
An alarm system that is terminated by direct connection to the Washington
Township Police Communications Center and/or Gloucester County Communications
Center.
It shall be the responsibility of all persons that maintain alarm systems
within the Township to provide current information to the Police or Fire Department,
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 or Fire Department when the alarm system is
initially placed into service and must be revised immediately whenever changes
are necessary.
Audible alarms must be silenced within 30 minutes after a designated
responsible person is notified to do so by the Police and/or Fire Department.
The alarm system may be equipped with a timing device that will automatically
silence the audible alarm within 30 minutes after it is actuated.
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 Washington Township Police Communications Center and/or Gloucester
County Communications Center. Recorded messages must also include the name
and telephone number of a responsible person who may be contacted by the Police
or Fire Department in case of an emergency, on a twenty-four-hour basis.
It shall be the responsibility of all persons that maintain alarm systems
within the Township to prevent the transmission of false alarms through a
program of training and periodic inspection and maintenance of the system.
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 the chapter
shall not apply to alarm systems that are affixed to motor vehicles.
A.Â
Any person who is found guilty of violating any provision
of this chapter shall be subject to the following penalties:
(1)Â
For the first and second false alarm in any thirty-day
period, a warning shall be issued; for the third false alarm in the same thirty-day
period, a fine of $50 shall be paid to the Township. For the fourth and subsequent
false alarms, a fine of $100 shall be paid to the Township.
(2)Â
For each false alarm after the eighth in any one-year
period a fine of $100 shall be paid to the Township.
B.Â
In addition to any penalty that may be ordered by the
court, the Chief of Police may authorize the disconnection of subscriber alarms
from the Police Communications Center after giving written notice to the subscriber.
The provisions contained herein shall apply equally to those alarm systems
that were placed in service prior to or subsequent to the effective dates
of this chapter.
