The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the establishment
and maintenance of an efficient, effective and uniform police and
fire alarm system within the Township of Chester and to provide standards
and regulations for alarm equipment, devices and systems to be installed
or connected within the township. It shall be the policy of the township
to encourage the installation of alarm devices as an aid to public
safety. To ensure appropriate response the Police Department requires
prior knowledge of all such systems connected, and the quality of
installation and maintenance must achieve minimum feasible false alarms.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ALARM SYSTEM
Any device designed or used for detection of unauthorized
entry or alerting others to the commission of an unlawful act, or
both, and the detection of fire or smoke or similar hazards.
[Amended 3-19-1996 by Ord. No. 96-4]
A. No person shall install, maintain or cause to be installed or maintained
any police, fire or other emergency alarm system without first having
been issued a permit pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, except
that a smoke or heat detector system designed and intended solely
to alert the occupants of a building to a potential or imminent danger
shall not require a permit from the Police Department.
B. All police, fire or other emergency alarm systems must meet all applicable
technical standards and requirements as defined by the Chief of Police.
No alarm shall be transmitted via the 9-1-1 emergency telephone system.
C. This chapter shall also apply to all police and fire alarm systems
installed prior to the effective date hereof.
[Amended 3-19-1996 by Ord. No. 96-4]
A. All applications for the issuance of a permit shall be made in writing
to the Chief of Police on an application form provided. All such permits
issued under this chapter shall expire on December 31 of the year
in which they are granted and are subject to renewal.
B. The application form shall contain:
(1) The name, address and telephone number of the applicant.
(2) The location of the premises to be serviced.
(3) The name of the installer.
(4) The type of police alarm equipment.
(5) The provisions relating to false alarms and testing procedures.
(6) A list of persons to be contacted in the event of an alarm.
(7) Such other information as required by the Chief of Police.
C. The Chief of Police shall cause an investigation to be made, and
thereafter, provided the application has complied with all the terms
of this chapter and the rules and regulations promulgated and adopted
pursuant thereto, shall then issue a permit.
Any permit issued under the provisions of this chapter may be
suspended or revoked by the Chief of Police for any violation of or
failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter or any rule
or regulation promulgated by the Chief of Police, including the following:
A. The applicant willfully failed to and did not comply with a request
by a member of the Police Department to proceed immediately to the
premises.
B. The applicant knowingly installed or maintained a faulty alarm system.
An inordinate number of false alarms shall be prima facie evidence
that such alarm device is knowingly a faulty device.
C. The applicant has breached the terms and conditions of the permit.
No permit shall be revoked or suspended without giving 30 days'
notice, in writing, of such action and an opportunity to show cause
before the Chief of Police why such action should not be taken. Any
person aggrieved by the action or determination of the Chief of Police
in the denial of a permit or in the suspension or revocation of any
permit may appeal to the Mayor and Council of the Township of Chester.
[Amended 3-19-1996 by Ord. No. 96-4]
The fee for utilizing an alarm system that automatically dials
the telephone of the Police Department and then reproduces a prerecorded
message to report a robbery, burglary or other emergency shall be
$100 per year.
Each alarm system shall contain an automatic device that terminates
(deactivates the alarm condition) no longer than 15 minutes after
initiation.