[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Port
Washington North 7-10-1995 by L.L. No. 6-1995. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Board of Trustees finds that the high incidence of false burglar
alarms unduly burdens the efficient use of police personnel and resources.
The following legislation is designed to provide for the registration of alarm
systems to reduce the incidence of false alarms, maximize the efficient use
of police personnel and resources, and provide efficient police protection
to residents of the Village.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
Any electrically and/or mechanically created audible or visual signal
of distress which can be heard or seen beyond the boundaries of the real property
owned, leased and/or occupied by an alarm user and/or which is transmitted
to the Police Department.
Any employee, agent or other representative of an alarm business
doing business in the Village.
Any person who is selling, leasing, installing, replacing, modifying,
repairing or otherwise altering alarm systems within the Village; and/or
Any person who is in the business of monitoring, receiving, recording
and/or validating and/or responding to an alarm system and/or which relays
or otherwise notifies the Police Department of an alarm from an alarm system.
Any electric and/or mechanical device within the Village which is
used to emit an alarm.
Any installation, replacement and/or substantial modification or
other alteration to an alarm system. A modification, repair or other alteration
with a fair market value of $200 or more for parts and labor shall be deemed
substantial.
The owner or tenant of any structure or other premises at or upon
which an alarm system is maintained, allowed or tolerated.
An alarm system for which a valid alarm system registration has been
filed with the Village.
The Board of Trustees of the Village.
Any alarm business which relays or otherwise notifies the Police
Department of an alarm from an alarm system.
Any alarm which is not the result of a real or perceived danger from
criminal activity, fire or medical emergency. False alarms include, but are
not limited to, equipment malfunctions and unauthorized testing of alarm systems.
Any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation.
The Port Washington Police Department in the Town of North Hempstead.
Registering an alarm system with the Village in accordance with the
provisions of this chapter.
The Village of Port Washington North.
A.
No alarm user shall permit, allow or tolerate an alarm
system in any premises which he owns, leases or occupies, without a registration
of such alarm system.
B.
No alarm agent or alarm business shall perform an alarm
system installation within the Village without a registration of such alarm
system.
B.
Such registration shall provide the following information:
(1)
Address of premises.
(2)
Name and telephone number of owner.
(3)
Name and telephone number of tenant, if any.
(4)
Name of applicant.
(5)
Name, address and telephone number of central alarm system,
if any.
(6)
Manufacturer and model of alarm system, and such other information as may be necessary to assure compliance with § 48-4C.
(7)
Name and telephone number of other person or persons
to be contacted if owner and/or tenant cannot be reached.
(8)
Registrations shall be deemed "continuing" and must be
kept current and amended as any changes to the answers in the application
occur.
C.
The alarm system must contain the following features:
(1)
The alarm must automatically terminate within 15 minutes
of activation.
(2)
The alarm system must not transmit more than two alarm
messages (including messages by recorded or taped devices) upon a single activation
to the Police Department.
(3)
If the alarm system has an automatic dialer and is programmed
to dial the Police Department, it shall not dial any Police Department telephone
number other than one which has been preapproved by the Police Department.
(4)
If the alarm system has an automatic dialer which is
programmed to dial a central alarm station and/or the Police Department, it
shall have a thirty-second time-lapse delay between the initial activation
and the automatic dialing, with an abort capability or other means of overriding
the automatic dialer during said thirty-second time interval. Such time-lapse
delay shall not be required for devices specifically designed to enable an
alarm user to intentionally activate the alarm by a panic button or similar
device.
(5)
Such other reasonable features as may from time to time
be requested by the Village. Such other reasonable features, however, shall
be required only of alarm system installations which occur after the Village
has adopted a resolution for making such requests.
Registration is not and shall not be deemed to be a representation by
the Village as to the adequacy, operation or functioning of an alarm system,
an alarm system installation or the operation of a central alarm system, nor
does the Village assume any liability whatsoever for any failure or malfunction
of an alarm system or for the delay or failure of any Police Department response
to an alarm from an alarm system.
A.
It shall be a violation of this chapter by any alarm
user whose alarm system:
(1)
Reports more than three false alarms within any one calendar
year. Each false alarm after the third false alarm within such calendar year
shall be a separate and distinct violation of this chapter;
(2)
Has not been registered or whose application for registration
is not based upon a current and accurate application;
(3)
Does not meet the requirements for such alarm system
as set forth herein;
(4)
Does not automatically terminate within 15 minutes of
activation;
(5)
Transmits more than two alarm messages upon a single
activation to the Police Department; or
(6)
Dials the Police Department at a telephone number which
was not preapproved by the Police Department.
B.
It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person
to perform in whole or in part or to receive any payment for an alarm system
installation for which there is no registration based upon a true and complete
application.
C.
Each violation of this chapter shall be punishable by
a fine not exceeding $250.
This chapter shall take effect October 1, 1995.
