The purpose of this chapter is to establish regulation concerning
the operation and maintenance of alarm systems within the Township
of Elk and to provide penalties upon conviction for violation of any
of the provisions set forth herein.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meaning indicated:
ALARM SYSTEM
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 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.
AUDIBLE ALARM
A device that emits an audible signal from the premises that
it is designated to protect.
AUDIBLE CUTOFF
An electronic or mechanical device designed to cut off the
audible sounding device on the premises after 15 minutes.
DIRECT-DIAL ALARM
A device which, when actuated, causes a recorded message
to be transmitted, via telephone, to the Elk Township Police Department
and/or Gloucester County Communications Center, stating that emergency
response is necessary.
FALSE ALARM
An alarm signal necessitating response by the Elk Township
Police Department or Fire Department where an emergency situation
does not exist. An alarm which has been activated by an external source
that is beyond the reasonable control of the subscriber shall not
be considered a false alarm.
PERSON
Any natural person, firm, partnership, corporation or association.
POLICE
The Elk Township Police Department.
SUBSCRIBER ALARM
An alarm system that is terminated by direct communication
to the Elk Township Police Department and/or the Gloucester County
Communications Center.
It shall be the responsibility of all persons that own, operate
and/or maintain alarm systems within the Township of Elk to provide
current information to the office of the Clerk, 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. The
Elk Township Clerk will forward this information to the Elk Township
Police Department.
All audible alarm systems must be silenced within 15 minutes
after a designated responsible person is notified to do so by the
Police and/or Fire Department. The alarm system shall be equipped
with a timing device that will automatically silence the audible alarm
within 15 minutes after it is actuated.
It shall be the responsibility of all persons that maintain
alarm systems within the Township of Elk to prevent the transmission
of false alarms through a program of training and periodic inspection
and maintenance of the system.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the general
alerting alarms that may be utilized 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.