[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham 12-18-2007 by L.L. No. 9-2007.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Fire protection equipment — See Ch. 35, Art. IV.
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also repealed former Ch. 27, Alarm Systems, adopted 10-6-1987 by L.L. No. 2-1987, as amended.
The Village of Pelham finds that the frequency of false alarms from alarm systems to the Police and Fire Departments hinders the efficiency of those Departments, may expose the police, firefighters, and the general public to avoidable hazards and risks, waste taxpayer funds and may result in delays of emergency services to those who actually need them. The purpose of this chapter is to reduce the number of false alarms and promote the responsible use of alarm devices in the Village of Pelham.
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the following phrases, words and their derivations shall be defined as follows:
ALARM SYSTEMS
A. 
Any system designed to call for Police or Fire Department response when activated by a criminal act, fire or other emergency which:
(1) 
Transmits a signal to police or fire headquarters.
(2) 
Transmits a signal to a person who relays information to police or fire headquarters.
(3) 
Produces an audible or visible signal to which the Police or Fire Departments are expected to respond.
B. 
This definition does not include systems which:
(1) 
Are designed to alert or signal only persons within the premises on which the system is installed.
(2) 
Are installed in a motor vehicle or trailer.
ALARM USER
The owner or tenant or any premises in which an alarm system is located.
DIAL ALARM
A telephone-interfaced device that automatically connects to police or fire headquarters and transmits a prerecorded voice message to report an emergency condition that requires a response by the Police Department or Fire Department.
FALSE ALARM
Any activation of an alarm system to which the Police or Fire Departments respond and which is not caused by a criminal act, fire or other emergency.
VILLAGE
The Incorporated Village of Pelham.
A. 
Every alarm user of an alarm system in the Village of Pelham and controlled by this chapter must register the alarm system by filing within the time limits set forth in § 27-3B, C and D the following information with the Police Department:
(1) 
The type of alarm system.
(2) 
The street address and the nearest cross street of the building that houses the alarm.
(3) 
In the case of commercial premises, the name, address and telephone number of an authorized representative and an alternate representative who, when called by the police, will be able to respond immediately to deactivate the alarm system.
(4) 
In the case of a private residence, the name, address and telephone number of the person residing at the address and the name, address and telephone number of a person who is not a resident of the private residence in question and who when called by the police will be able to respond immediately to deactivate the alarm system.
(5) 
In the case of a multi-dwelling building, a commercial building housing more than one business, a building with both residential and commercial uses, or a complex of more than one building, the registration of the alarm system must include a description of the location of the alarm system. This information shall include the following information, where applicable: building number, floor, and apartment, suite or office number.
(6) 
The name, address and telephone number of the person, firm, business or corporation installing, servicing and/or maintaining the alarm system.
B. 
Every alarm system must be registered with the Police Department within 15 days of its installation.
C. 
Whenever the alarm user at a premises changes, within two weeks of such change, the new alarm user must file a new registration for the alarm system with the Police Department.
D. 
Alarm systems installed prior to the effective date of this chapter must be registered with the Police Department within 60 days of the effective date of this chapter.
Information obtained by the Police Department under this chapter relating to particular alarm users and their alarm systems shall not be divulged without the written consent of the alarm user, except as necessary or appropriate to the enforcement or administration of this chapter or to assist the Police Department or Fire Department in responding to an alarm.
A. 
Every alarm system shall be equipped so that, upon the activation of a burglary alarm, there shall be a delay of at least 30 seconds before the transmission of a signal to the Police Department so as to enable the user to abort the signal in the event that it was triggered inadvertently. This delay shall not be applicable to alarms activated in cases of criminal acts involving physical injury or the threat of physical injury or alarms activated in cases of medical emergencies.
B. 
Every alarm system installed in the Village shall be designed and equipped to prevent activation by loss of electrical power.
C. 
Every alarm system emitting an audible or visual signal outside the house, whether such system is connected to police headquarters or operates independently, must be equipped with a system which automatically shuts off the outside audible or visual signal within 15 minutes of its activation.
The use of dial alarms in the Village of Pelham is prohibited.
The Village Administrator is hereby authorized to make and publish supplemental rules and regulations concerning all matters regarding alarm systems. The Village Administrator is also authorized to change and modify same. All such rules and regulations and any changes and modifications thereto must not conflict with the provisions herein, shall be approved by and adopted by resolution of the Village Board of Trustees and shall only be effective after a copy thereof has been filed with the Village Clerk.
The Village, its officers, employees or agents shall have no responsibility for equipment costs, installation charges or damages resulting from the failure of the alarm system to operate or the failure of the Village to respond to an alarm or for losses incurred as a result of damages to the alarm system in the event that it becomes necessary for the Village to disconnect the alarm pursuant to this chapter.
Intentionally causing a false alarm is a violation of this chapter, and the violator shall be subject to the penalty provisions of § 1-12 of Chapter 1 of the Code of the Village of Pelham.
Alarm users shall be responsible for the maintenance, service, and proper use of their alarm systems. When an alarm user's alarm system causes more than three false alarms within one year, the alarm user is in violation of this section and subject to the penalty provisions of § 1-12 of Chapter 1 of the Code of the Village of Pelham.
In the event that an alarm system emitting an audible or visual signal shall fail to be deactivated within the time limitation specified herein, the Village shall have the right to take such action as may be necessary to disconnect the alarm.
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of this chapter shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect or impair the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall be rendered.