[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of
Palmer 12-30-1982 as Ord. No. 198. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this ordinance is to provide and create a centralized
system for various types of burglar, fire and other emergency alarm devices,
whether by direct line, radio, telephone or other means actuating an alarm
console, as hereinafter defined, at the Police Department headquarters of
the Township of Palmer for response thereto by the Police or Fire Department
or other municipal agencies and to provide rules and regulations governing
alarm devices, whether or not connected to such console.
The provisions of this ordinance shall apply to any person, as hereinafter
defined, who operates, distributes or owns any alarm device designed to summon
the Police or Fire Departments or other municipal agencies of the township
or any private agency to any location in response to any type of alarm signal,
whether or not such alarm devices are connected to the alarm console, as hereinafter
defined.
A.
Words used in the present tense include the future, words
used in the plural number include the singular number, and words in the singular
number include the plural number. The word "shall" is mandatory and not discretionary.
B.
ALARM CONSOLE
ALARM DEVICE
CHIEF
DEPARTMENT
DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE
FALSE ALARM
PERMITTEE
PERSON
PREMISES
For the purpose of this ordinance, the following terms,
phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings given herein:
The console or control panel providing a visual or audio response,
or both, to an alarm device and located within the confines of the Police
Department of the township.
Any type of alarm system providing warning of burglary, fire or other
emergency.
The Chief of the Police Department of the township.
The Police Department of the township.
Any person designated by the Chief to perform a function required
or permitted by the provisions of this ordinance. The term "designated representative"
shall be limited to members of the Township Police Department and employees
of the township assigned to and working in the Police Department for the purposes
of administrating this ordinance.
Any alarm actuated by inadvertence, negligence, intentional mischievous
conduct or by malfunctioning of the alarm device or other relevant equipment,
but does not include false alarms created by malfunction of the alarm console
or by natural or man-made emergency.
Any person owning an alarm device who has obtained a permit according
to the provisions of this ordinance.
Any natural person, partnership, corporation, association or other
entity.
The property of the permittee to which the alarm device is connected,
including but not limited to residential, professional, commercial, churches,
industrial or otherwise.
A.
There is hereby established an alarm console in the township
to be owned by the township and operated by members of the Police Department.
B.
Any connection to said alarm console shall be by an alarm
device approved by the Chief or his designated representative. Any person
aggrieved by any decision of the Chief or his designated representative may
appeal, in writing, within 10 days to the Township Board of Supervisors for
a hearing.
C.
No person, whether presently or in the future, who owns,
maintains, possesses or otherwise operates any alarm device designed to summon
the Police Department, Fire Department or other municipal department of the
township or any private agency to any type of alarm signal shall be required
to connect such device to the alarm console. However, those persons whose
alarm devices are presently connected to the Police Department of the township
must, within 30 days after installation of the alarm console, either connect
such device to the alarm console or remove and disconnect such device, at
their expense, from the Police Department.
D.
Nothing in this ordinance shall prohibit any person from
securing the services of a private agency to provide burglar, fire or other
emergency protection and to connect an alarm device to such private agency
for such purposes without the necessity of connecting the same to the alarm
console at the Police Department.
E.
Notwithstanding Subsections C and D aforesaid, any person who owns, maintains, possesses or otherwise operates any such alarm device in the township who chooses not to connect the same to the alarm console is still subject to the rules, regulations and penalties of this ordinance, specifically, but not limited to, the requirements of obtaining a permit or license for the same (without paying the annual fee for hookup to the alarm console), the administrative actions for suspension and revocation of such license or permit under §§ 43-5 and 43-6 hereof and the penalties for violations of the ordinance, where applicable, under § 43-7 hereof.
F.
Any person installing an alarm device on his premises
shall make application therefor, in writing, to the Chief, which application
shall contain the location of the device, the name and address of the installer
of said device, the type of device, provisions relating to false alarms and
testing procedures of the device, a list of persons to be contacted in the
event of an alarm and other information as may be required. Such application
shall be acted upon by the Chief or his designated representative within 30
days of submission. If approved, such permission shall continue in force from
year to year as long as the permittee pays the annual fee for connection to
the alarm console, where applicable, registers the same and maintains the
same alarm device. However, upon the substitution of one alarm device for
another, the permittee must submit a new application. At the time of initial
approval of the alarm device, the permittee shall receive a letter from the
Chief or his designated representative setting forth a synopsis of this ordinance
and the permittee's obligations and duties under it, which the permittee shall
countersign upon receipt.
G.
Any person who desires to connect his alarm device to
the alarm console shall, in addition to submitting an application as aforesaid,
pay the following fees:
(1)
For initial hookup, registration and testing, no fee
shall be required.
(2)
An annual fee for the continued privilege of connection
to the alarm console in the sum of $25 per year for a residential premises
for each family unit residing on such premises.
(3)
An annual fee for the continued privilege of connection
to the alarm console in the sum of $100 per year for professional, commercial
and industrial premises. In the event that more than one individually owned
business is located on the same professional, commercial or industrial premises,
the aforesaid annual fee shall be computed on the basis of each such individually
owned business.
(4)
In the event that any permittee fails to pay the required
fees as set forth in this section on or before January 31 of each year, he
shall be given notification by the Chief, in writing, by registered mail,
and if such fee is not paid within 15 days of the date of mailing said notice,
said alarm device shall be temporarily disconnected from the alarm console
and shall not be reconnected until the overdue payment and an additional reconnection
fee of $25 is paid.
H.
Any permittee who conducts repairs to his alarm device
or any other relevant equipment shall so notify the Police Department, in
writing, before such repairs begin as to the commencement and termination
dates thereof.
I.
The alarm console and allied equipment are being maintained
by the township at will and are subject to termination at any time upon 90
days' notification. The township is under no duty to any permittee or any
other person to maintain the alarm console or the centralized system created
hereunder for any duration of time. Any permit granted hereunder shall be
accepted upon the express condition that the permittee shall indemnify and
hold the township harmless from and on account of any and all damages arising
out of the township's operation of the alarm console or the permittee's alarm
device.
J.
Additional administrative rules and regulations for implementation
of this ordinance may be promulgated by the Chief after consultation with
and approval by the Township Board of Supervisors, which shall pass a resolution
effectuating the same at a regular township meeting.
K.
Any unauthorized equipment may be disconnected by the
Chief or his designated representative for noncompliance with this ordinance,
and any person installing or maintaining unauthorized equipment shall be prosecuted
for violation of this ordinance, as hereinafter provided, and each and every
day that said equipment is in operation shall be considered a separate violation.
Acceptance of the permit by a permittee shall be deemed as consent to inspection
of the premises on which said alarm device is installed at reasonable hours
by the Chief or his designated representative and to a testing of the same,
at reasonable intervals and at reasonable hours, by the Chief or his designated
representative.
L.
Any alarm device which sounds an audible alarm at the
premises where it is installed shall be subject to the following additional
rules and regulations:
(1)
The owner, resident or other person in control of the
premises must be able to turn off the alarm device within 30 minutes after
sounding.
(2)
Prior to installation, a written statement must be executed
between the alarm company which installed or is responsible for the alarm
device and the owner, resident or other person in control of the premises
permitting such alarm company to enter the premises to turn off or disable
the alarm to stop it from sounding. The alarm company which installed or is
responsible for the alarm device shall be available to so turn off or disable
said device within 30 minutes upon receiving notification from the Police
Department. Habitual unavailability of such alarm company for such purpose
shall result in a violation of its business license in the township as hereinafter
provided.
(4)
The provisions and penalties pertaining to false alarms
of such devices shall be the same as hereinafter provided.
(5)
All and any costs incurred in turning off or disabling
such alarm device shall be borne by the alarm company which installed or is
responsible for the alarm device or by the owner, resident or other person
in control of the premises.
A.
In addition to any penalties which may be imposed for
violation of this ordinance, the township may, pursuant to the provisions
of this section, revoke the business license of a private alarm business agency
in the township on any of the following grounds:
(1)
Fraud or willful and knowing misrepresentation or false
statement made in an application for a license.
(2)
Fraud or willful and knowing misrepresentation or false
statement made in the conduct of the alarm business.
(3)
Failure to correct any deficiencies in equipment or operation
within 48 hours after receipt of notice of the same from the Chief or his
designated representative.
(4)
Failure to comply, within a reasonable time, with any
order or notice issued by the Chief or his other designated representative.
B.
No alarm business license shall be revoked until a hearing
is held by the Board of Supervisors upon citation issued by the Chief or his
designated representative. Written notice of the time and place of the hearing
shall be served on the licensee at least 10 days before the date set for the
hearing. The notice shall set forth a summary of the grounds advanced as the
basis for the revocation of the license. The licensee shall be notified, in
writing, of the decision as to revocation of his license, the licensee may
continue to operate his business for a period of 30 days thereafter, and,
at the end of that time, such business must terminate. Said licensee may reapply
for such license at the expiration of one year from the date of notice of
the decision.
A.
In addition to any penalties which may be imposed for
violations of this ordinance, the township may, pursuant to the provisions
of this section, suspend or revoke the permit for the alarm device on any
of the following grounds:
(1)
As set forth in § 43-4G(4) herein, nonpayment of the required annual fee on or before January 31 of each year shall require a suspension of the permit until such annual fee and an additional reconnection fee are paid. Such nonpayment as of July 1 of any year shall result in a revocation of the permit and permanent disconnection from the alarm console until such time as reapplication is made and such annual fee paid. Habitual nonpayment shall result in a refusal to permit the person to connect to the alarm console system.
(2)
As set forth in § 43-4K hereof, the use of unauthorized equipment or the failure to permit reasonable inspection or reasonable testing by the Chief or his designated representative shall result in a suspension of the permit until compliance is forthcoming. Habitual noncompliance shall result in a revocation of the permit.
(3)
Fraud or willful and knowing misrepresentation or false
statements made in the application for the permit or in the owning, maintaining,
possessing or operating of the alarm device shall result in the revocation
of the permit.
(4)
Failure to correct any deficiencies in equipment or operation
within 48 hours after receipt of notice of the same from the Chief or his
designated representative shall result in a suspension of the permit until
such corrections are made. Habitual failure shall result in a revocation of
the permit.
(5)
Habitual false alarms shall result in the revocation
of the permit. In this regard, on a yearly basis, the first and second such
false alarms shall cause written warnings to be issued; the third false alarm
shall result in a fine of $25 to be paid to the township; and the fourth and
each subsequent false alarm shall result in a fine of $50 each, to be paid
to the township. When any such false alarm occurs, the Chief or his designated
representative may make a reasonable inspection concerning the circumstances
surrounding the same.
(6)
Failure to comply, within a reasonable time, with any
order or notice issued by the Chief or his designated representative shall
result in a suspension of the permit until compliance is forthcoming. Habitual
noncompliance shall result in a revocation of the permit.
B.
Except for nonpayment set forth in Subsection A(1) hereof, no permit shall be suspended or revoked until a hearing is held by the Board of Supervisors upon citation issued by the Chief or his designated representative. Written notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be served on the permittee at least 10 days before the date set for the hearing. The notice shall set forth a summary of the grounds advanced as the basis for the suspension or revocation of the permit. The permittee shall be notified, in writing, of the decision as to the suspension or revocation of the permit within 10 days after the hearing.
[Amended 10-25-1988 by Ord.
No. 227]
A.
Any person found guilty of violation of the terms of
this ordinance shall be subject to a fine not in excess of $600 or imprisonment
for a period of time not in excess of 90 days, or both.
B.
Each day of violation of the particular code or ordinance
applicable shall be considered a separate offense, for which the fines and
penalties stated herein may be imposed on a daily basis.
The provisions of this ordinance and all parts thereof are severable,
and if any part of this ordinance or any clause or any sentence hereof is
for any reason found to be invalid or unconstitutional, such invalidity or
unconstitutionality shall not affect or impair the remaining provisions of
this ordinance or any part thereof.
This ordinance shall become effective five days after adoption.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances, insofar as they are inconsistent
herewith, are hereby repealed absolutely.
