The Town of Stanford recognizes the need for externally audible
alarms as a protection against and as a deterrent to the burglary
of structures, or fires, or other emergencies, for structures located
in the Town of Stanford. The Town of Stanford declares, however, that
the reasonable objectives of externally audible alarms are accomplished
when the sound associated with their operation persists for not more
than 20 minutes. The operation of externally audible alarms for more
than 20 minutes does not serve any legitimate objective or purpose.
The sound associated with the operation of an externally audible alarm
becomes unreasonable after 20 minutes of operation and constitutes
a public nuisance.
For the purposes of this article, the following terms shall
have the meanings respectively ascribed:
ALARM
Includes any burglar, theft, fire, heat or other emergency
alarm which emits audible noise, whether internally or externally,
in a structure, business or dwelling, including, but not limited to,
alarms with automatic dialers to central station monitoring facilities
or emergency response agencies.
EXTERNALLY AUDIBLE ALARMS
Any warning device designed to produce an audible sound when
triggered by the unauthorized entry into or tampering with the structure
to which it is affixed. An externally audible alarm may be located
wholly within a structure, provided that it emits a sound which is
audible outside of the structure.
OPERATION
The continuous or intermittent emission of a sound from an
alarm.
OWNER/LESSEE
Any natural person, partnership, corporation, association
or other legal entity.
SOUND
The noise produced by a horn, siren, bell, buzzer, voice
recording or any other device the principal purpose of which is to
create a noise to attract attention or to give warning.
[Amended 8-10-2023 by L.L. No. 3-2023]
It shall be unlawful for the owner/lessee having possession
or custody of any structure to which an externally audible alarm is
connected or affixed to permit to suffer or allow the operation of
that externally audible alarm for a period in excess of 20 minutes.
Such operation constitutes a public nuisance. In addition to any other
penalty permitted or allowed under the laws of the State of New York,
any person convicted of a violation of this article shall pay a fine
of $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second offense and $200
for each offense thereafter.
The Town of Stanford recognizes the need and legitimate purpose
of alarm systems to detect the burglary of structures, or fires, or
other emergencies, in buildings and structures in the Town of Stanford
which may be connected directly to a central monitoring system, Dutchess
County Emergency Response (E-911) or the Sheriff or State Police.
The Town of Stanford finds, however, that there have been frequent
false alarms to the Stanford Fire District, including the Stanford
Fire Company or Rescue Squad, because of alarm malfunctions. This
has resulted in the unnecessary response by the Stanford Fire Company
or the Rescue Squad to alarms and needless waste of fire, rescue and
law enforcement resources which are necessary to protect the public
safety, health and welfare. This article is designed to remedy the
problem of false alarms to the Stanford Fire District, including the
Stanford Fire Company or Rescue Squad.
For purposes of this article, the following terms shall have
the meanings respectively ascribed:
ALARM SYSTEM
Any mechanical or electrical device or system which is designed
or used for the detection of any unauthorized entry into a building,
structure or facility or used for mechanically or electronically alerting
others to the commission of an unlawful act, burglar, theft, fire,
heat or other emergency whether installed within or without the building.
This system produces a signal, message or warning directly to Emergency
Response (E-911), to some other location which is then reported, referred,
telephoned, transmitted or in some other manner communicated to Dutchess
County Emergency Response (E-911), by any method whatsoever, including
but not limited to the owner of a business or his/her employee or
representative, an alarm company or its representative, or an answering
service or any other person reacting to or responding to said signal,
message, warning or any audible alarm which requires immediate investigation
and response by the Department. Said alarm system shall include but
not be limited to telephonic or wireless alarm systems, which are
defined to mean any mechanism, equipment or device which is designed
to operate automatically through the use of public telephone, radio,
satellite or wireless communication facilities to transmit a signal,
message or warning to another location.
FALSE ALARM
The activation of the alarm system because of but not limited
to mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation or negligence
by a person or when activation results in a response by the Stanford
Fire District, including the Stanford Fire Company or Rescue Squad,
where an emergency does not exist. False alarms do not include alarms
caused by hurricanes, tornadoes or other violent weather conditions.
PERSON
A natural person, firm, partnership, association or corporation
or representative or agent of said entities who is the owner or lessee
of an alarm system.