[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Pennsburg 12-14-2021 by Ord. No. 5-2021. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
To provide for penalties to principal commercial owners, operators, tenants and other individuals responsible for false alarms resulting in a response by emergency services personnel.
B. 
To encourage the use of appropriate alarm installation practices to prevent or minimize false alarms that require the response of public safety personnel.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ALARM SYSTEM
Any device designed for the detection of an unauthorized entry on the premises, unlawful act or any emergency, that when activated transmits a signal, either visual, audible or both or causes to be transmitted a signal.
FALSE ALARM
Any alarm signal that alerts a municipal organization, which is not the result of an actual or threatened emergency requiring immediate response. False alarms shall include, but not be limited to, negligently or accidentally activated signals; signals which are the result of faulty, malfunctioning or improperly installed or maintained equipment; signals which are purposely or accidentally activated to summon police, fire, emergency or EMS services in nonemergency situations; and alarm signals for which the actual cause is not determined.
OPERATIVE ALARM SYSTEM
Also called "Burglar Alarms." Any device designed for the detection of any unauthorized entry on the premises, unlawful act or any emergency that alerts a private security or guard organization who then alerts the proper municipal authority, or which directly alerts a municipal organization, when activated gives a signal, either visual, audible or both or transmits or causes be transmitted a signal.
A. 
No commercial principal owner, operator, tenant or other commercial individual shall install, reinstall, have installed or alter the installation of an alarm system without obtaining an installation permit from the Borough.
B. 
No commercial owner, operator, tenant or other commercial individual shall use or possess an alarm system without obtaining and annually renewing an alarm permit (fire, burglar or multipurpose as applicable) with the Borough.
A. 
All alarm systems shall be equipped with batteries or some other alternate power system in case of power failure.
B. 
Commercial entities as defined above having local alarms shall have some type of device attached to the alarm that will automatically shut the alarm off after 20 minutes or have some other sure means of turning the alarm off.
C. 
An alarm system user shall place on the main entrance a copy of the permit which shall show the alarm system service and persons and information as to who shall be called and the telephone number who may be called in the event of an alarm.
No commercial entity as defined above using or possessing an alarm system shall cause or permit the giving of repeated false alarms, whether intentional, accidental or otherwise.
The Chief of Police or his or her designee may revoke or suspend any permit issued if he/she determines:
A. 
The application for the permit contains a statement of material fact which is false.
B. 
The permittee has failed to comply with this chapter.
C. 
The alarm system is negligently maintained or used or more than four false alarms within a one-year period from the first false alarm shall be defined as evidence of negligent maintenance or use.
A. 
The fee for a system permit shall be $50.
B. 
All alarm installations by commercial entity as defined above shall notify the Borough within seven working days of installation of any alarm system within the Borough. Such notice shall list the owner's name and address, the type of alarm and the date of installation.
C. 
The alarm permit fees set forth in this section may be adjusted from time to time at the discretion of Council, at the discretion of the Chief of Police or his/or designee who shall annually report such adjustments to Council.
A. 
For the first two false alarms which occur from each alarm system, there shall be no charge. For each false alarm thereafter the permit holder shall pay a fee as follows:
(1) 
Third response: $50.
(2) 
Fourth response: $100.
(3) 
Fifth response: $150.
(4) 
Sixth response: $200.
(5) 
Seventh response: $250.
(6) 
Eighth response: $300.
(7) 
Responses in excess of eight: $500.
B. 
There shall be a ninety-day grace period in the collection of false alarm penalty fees for any new installation of alarm system where the owner can show that the Borough was notified of such installation as required and that an alarm permit was obtained within seven days of the installation.
A. 
Any alarm system owner who fails to obtain or to post their permit or permit number as required by this chapter shall be subject to a fine in the amount of $350.
B. 
Any alarm system entity who fails to notify the Borough of the installation of an alarm system as required by this chapter shall be subject to a fine in the amount of $350.