[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of
Haddon 10-17-1989 by Ord. No. 875. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish regulations concerning the
operation and maintenance of certain alarm systems within the Township of
Haddon and to provide penalties upon conviction for violation of any of the
provisions set forth herein.
[1]
Editor's Note: Ordinance No. 875 also provided that it shall become
effective 90 days after passage and due publication.
For the purpose of this chapter, certain words and phrases are defined
as follows:
Any mechanical, electrical or electronic device which is designed
or used for the detection of an unauthorized entry into a building, structure
or facility, or for alerting others about the commission of an unlawful act
within a building, structure or facility, or for alerting others about the
existence of conditions requiring response of police, fire or ambulance personnel
and which emits and/or transmits an audible and/or visual signal or message
when actuated. "Alarm systems" include, but are not limited to, direct-dial
telephone devices, audible alarms and subscriber alarms.
A device that emits an audible signal from the premises that it is
designed to protect.
A device that, when actuated, causes a recorded message to be transmitted,
via telephone, to the Haddon Township Police Communications Center, stating
that emergency response is necessary.
The primary telephone number advertised to the public for requesting
emergency services.
An alarm signal necessitating response by the Haddon Township Police
Department where an emergency situation does not exist. An alarm that has
been activated by an external source that is beyond the reasonable control
of the subscriber shall not be considered false.
The Haddon Township Police Department.
An alarm system that is terminated by direct connection to the Haddon
Township Police Communications Center in accordance with the regulations prescribed
in separate legislation.
The Township of Haddon.
A.
It shall be the responsibility of all persons, entities,
firms, corporations or other groups that maintain alarm systems within the
Township to provide current information to the police, consisting of the names
and telephone numbers of responsible persons who may be contacted in case
of emergency or who are authorized to provide service to the alarm system;
either must be on a twenty-four-hour basis. This information is to be filed
with the police when the alarm system is initially placed into service and
must be revised immediately whenever changes are necessary.
B.
Audible alarms must be silenced within 60 minutes after
a designated responsible person is notified to do so by the Police or the
alarm system may be equipped with a timing device that will automatically
silence the audible alarm within 60 minutes after it is actuated.
C.
The direct dial alarms shall not be connected to the
Haddon Township Bureau of Police emergency telephone number. A secondary telephone
will be provided for direct-dial alarms only. Direct-dial alarms must be equipped
with a device that will prevent more than three repeated transmissions of
an alarm for the same emergencies to the Haddon Township Police Communications
Center. Recorded messages must also include the name and telephone number
of a responsible person who may be contacted by the police in case of an emergency
on a twenty-four-hour basis.
A.
It shall be the responsibility of all persons, entities,
firms, corporations or other groups that maintain alarm systems within the
Township to prevent the transmission of false alarms through a program of
training and periodic inspection and maintenance of the system.
C.
False alarms in excess of these standards shall be considered
in violation of this chapter.
Any person, entity, firm, corporation or other group that is found guilty
of violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a fine
of not more than $350. Each incident shall be considered as a separate violation.
In addition to any penalty that may be ordered by the court, the Chief of
Police may authorize the disconnection of subscriber alarms from the communications
center after giving written notice to the subscriber.
The provisions contained herein shall apply equally to those alarm systems
that were placed in service prior to or subsequent to the effective date of
this chapter.
