This chapter shall be known as the "Automated
Alarm Systems Law of the Town of Ramapo."
The Police Department of the Town of Ramapo
has reported to the Town Board extraordinary numbers of false alarms
emanating from automated alarm systems. These false alarms unnecessarily
require that our police and volunteer fire departments respond in
an emergency fashion to signals which should not have been created
in the first place, depriving the citizens of this Town from the sorely
needed services of our emergency forces, and expose the police and
firemen to unnecessary hazards and risks. Therefore, it is the intent
of this chapter to reduce the occurrence of false alarms and provide
a mechanism whereby those responsible for the creation of these false
alarms are to be dealt with in an appropriate fashion. It is not the
intent to discourage the use of automated equipment, but rather to
encourage the use of automated equipment that fulfills the function
it is intended to perform.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following
terms shall have the following meanings:
ALARM DEVICE
A mechanical, electrical or electronic device which, when
activated, will transmit a signal which is intended to create a response
from either a fire department or police department, or other emergency
service, whether or not the signal generated is audible, visible or
electronic, and whether such signal is automatic or otherwise.
ALARM INSTALLER
Any person, firm, corporation or business entity who or which
has installed and/or receives compensation for service or maintenance
of a burglar or fire alarm device from a resident upon whose property
the device has been installed.
ALARM USER
Any person, firm, corporation or business entity upon whose
premises an alarm device is installed or operating.
FALSE ALARM
A signal transmitted to either a fire or police department,
or a central alarm station, or an outside audible signal indicating
that a fire or criminal act or emergency is occurring, when in fact
neither a criminal act nor a fire or emergency is occurring.
PREMISES
Any building, dwelling or residence on which an alarm device
has been installed.
Any alarm installer contracted to install an
alarm device or system of alarm devices must be licensed to perform
home improvement pursuant to a license issued by the Rockland County
Office of Consumer Protection.
It shall be unlawful for any alarm user or alarm
installer to permit or allow an alarm device to signal a false alarm,
whether intentionally or unintentionally, or whether due to malfunction
as otherwise.
If an alarm device activates an outside audible
signal, such outside audible signal cannot be broadcast for more than
30 minutes after initial activation.
[Amended 1-25-1995 by L.L. No. 1-1995]
The Police Department of the Town of Ramapo and/or the enforcement official as designated in Chapter
376, Zoning, §
376-140 of the Code of the Town of Ramapo, shall have the power, right and authority to issue an appearance ticket, as the same is defined in Article 150 of the Criminal Procedure Law of the State of New York, for the violation of any section or provision of this chapter.