It is the purpose of this article to protect and promote the health,
safety and general welfare of the residents of the Town of Pittsford. Alarm
systems which emit sound on the premises and which cannot be shut off within
a reasonable period of time constitute a public nuisance detrimental to the
health, safety and general welfare of the residents of the Town. This article
authorizes police officers and the Fire Marshal to disable such devices after
they have been activated for a reasonable period of time and do not become
automatically deactivated.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
ALARM SYSTEM
Any mechanical or electrical device, designed or used to warn of
break-ins on the premises or of any other untoward event therein, which when
activated emits a sound which can be heard on or off the premises.
It is the purpose of this article to protect and promote the health,
safety and general welfare of the residents of the Town of Pittsford by reducing
the number of avoidable alarms to emergency agencies. Avoidable alarms contribute
to ineffective utilization of public safety manpower and equipment. In addition,
avoidable alarms require emergency responses which may contribute to a high
accident rate and delayed responses to genuine emergencies. This article seeks
to ensure that fire communications facilities will be available to dispatch
fire personnel for actual emergencies.
For the purpose of this article, certain words and phrases shall be
construed herein as set forth in this section.
AVOIDABLE ALARM
The activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunctions,
improper installation or the negligence of the owner, user, custodian or lessee
of an alarm system, or his employees or agents, or through any other cause
which, through direct connection to an emergency agency, or which, through
notification of an emergency agency by a private answering point or automatic
dialing device, or which, through notification to an emergency agency by any
other second party or means, indicates that an emergency situation exists
requiring an emergency response within the Town of Pittsford when, in fact,
an emergency situation does not exist. "Avoidable alarm" does not include
alarms activated by violent conditions of nature, such as hurricanes, thunderstorms,
earthquakes or any other similar cause beyond the control of the user of an
alarm system. Activation of an alarm system under any circumstances in which
the activator reasonably believes that an emergency situation exists is not
an avoidable alarm.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
Any mechanical or electrical device which is designed or used for
the detection of fire and which emits a sound or transmits a signal or message
when activated. Fire alarm systems include but are not limited to direct dial
telephone devices, audible alarms and proprietor alarms. Devices which are
not designed or used to register alarms that are audible, visible or perceptible
outside of the protected building, structure or facility are not included
within this definition, nor are auxiliary devices installed by the telephone
company or a cable television company to protect its systems which might be
damaged or disrupted by the use of an alarm system.
FIRE MARSHAL
The Fire Marshal or any Code Enforcement Officer of the Town.
NOTICE
Written notice, given by personal service upon the addressee or given
by United States Mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the person to be notified
at his last known address. Service of such notice shall be effective upon
the completion of personal service or upon the placing of the same in the
custody of the United States Postal Service.
OWNER
Any person who owns, leases, contracts for or otherwise obtains a
fire alarm system.
In addition to the penalties provided for in §
52-9, the failure to obey any order of the Fire Marshal or Code Enforcement Officer or failure to obtain a permit as provided for in §
52-6 of this Code shall constitute a violation and shall be enforced.