The purpose of this chapter is to establish regulations concerning false alarms within the Township of Mount Laurel and to provide penalties for violation of any of the provisions set forth herein.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Mount Laurel 12-19-2011 by Ord. No. 15-2011.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 58, Alarm Systems, adopted 5-20-1985 by Ord. No. 1985-2, as amended.
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 any other condition requiring response of police, fire and EMS 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, central station alarms, visual alarms and subscriber alarms.
A device that emits an audible signal from the premises that it is designed to protect.
A service that monitors the operation of an alarm system and relays information to the Mount Laurel Township Police Department and/or other emergency number when the system is activated.
An alarm signal requiring response by the Mount Laurel police, fire or emergency medical services where an emergency situation does not in fact 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.
Mount Laurel Division of Police.
Township of Mount Laurel.
A rotating or flashing light that, when activated, is intended to alert the observer that the premises on which it is affixed has been illegally entered.
A.
Audible alarms must be silenced within 30 minutes after a designated responsible person is notified to do so by the police, or the alarm may be equipped with a timing device that will automatically silence the audible alarm within 30 minutes after it is actuated.
B.
Upon the activation of an alarm system, there shall be a mandatory delay of at least 15 seconds before the transmission of a signal to the central station to enable the user to abort the signal in the event that it was triggered inadvertently. This delay shall not be applicable to a robbery (holdup) or medical emergency alarm.
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 as follows. Each incident shall be considered as a separate violation.
A.
Any person or entity whose alarm system generates a fourth false alarm in any calendar year shall, upon issuance of a special complaint by the Division of Police, pay a fine of $50, which, upon a guilty plea, may be paid through the Violations Bureau of the Municipal Court.
B.
Any person or entity whose alarm system generates a fifth false alarm in any calendar year shall, upon issuance of a special complaint by the Division of Police, pay a fine of $150 which, upon a guilty plea, may be paid through the Violations Bureau of the Municipal Court.
C.
Any person or entity whose alarm system generates a sixth false alarm in any calendar year shall, upon issuance of a special complaint by the Division of Police, pay a fine of $250, which, upon plea of guilty, may be paid through the Violations Bureau of the Municipal Court.
D.
Any person or entity whose alarm system generates a seventh or more false alarms in a calendar year shall, upon issuance of a special complaint by the Division of Police, be required to appear in Municipal Court and be subject to a fine of up to $1,000 for each violation.