[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Oaklyn
3-10-1981 by Ord. No. 1-81. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish regulations concerning the
operation and maintenance of certain alarm systems within the Borough of Oaklyn
and to provide penalties upon conviction for violation of any of the provisions
set forth herein.
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 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 Oaklyn Police Department or the Camden County Communications
Center, stating that emergency response is necessary.
The primary phone number advertised to the public for requesting
emergency services.
An alarm signal, necessitating response by the Oaklyn Police, 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.
An alarm system that is terminated by direct connection to the Oaklyn
Police Department or the Camden County Communications Center, in accordance
with regulations prescribed in separate legislation.
A.
It shall be the responsibility of all persons, entities,
firms, corporations or other groups that maintain alarm systems within the
Borough 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 Oaklyn 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.
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 Oaklyn Police Department or the Camden County 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.
D.
It shall be the responsibility of all persons, entities,
firms, corporations or other groups that maintain alarm systems within the
Borough to prevent the transmission of false alarms through a program of training
and periodic inspection and maintenance of the system. The maximum permissible
number of false alarms from any one location shall be as follows: two false
alarms in any thirty-day period or eight false alarms in any one-year period.
False alarms in excess of these standards shall be considered to be in violation
of this chapter.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the general alerting
alarms that may be used by fire companies, ambulance squads or civil defense
agencies to summon response of their members. The provisions of this chapter
shall not apply to alarm systems that are affixed to motor vehicles.
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 Oaklyn
Police Department or the Camden County 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.
