The purpose of this chapter is to establish regulations concerning
the registering, operation and maintenance of certain alarm systems
within the Borough of Washington and to provide penalties for violations
of any of the provisions set forth herein. The terms of this chapter
shall in no way prohibit alarm companies from providing services by
private source to customers, both within and outside the municipality,
so long as the alarm panel or telephone numbers of the Police Department
are not utilized.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
ALARM DEVICE
Any type of alarm-actuating equipment which provides warning
of intrusion, fire, smoke, burglary, flood, health emergency, temperature
fluctuation or like perils, including dial alarms (devices using normal
telephone lines transmitting notification by telephone directly to
the police headquarters) and direct alarms (devices using telephone
lines terminating in an alarm panel located in police headquarters).
ALARM PANEL
That component installed in the console in the Police Department
headquarters containing alarm indicators.
ALARM SYSTEM
Any one or more alarm devices with apparatus, including wiring,
sensing devices and audible alarms installed for the expressed purpose
of giving visual and/or audible warning of an emergency, such as but
not limited to a burglary, intrusion, fire, smoke, flood, sudden change
in temperature, medical emergency or like peril.
FALSE ALARM
An alarm signal necessitating response by the Borough Police
Department, Fire Department or Emergency Squad where an emergency
situation does not exist.
PERSON
Any natural person, partnership, corporation, association
or other legal entity.
[Amended 11-17-2008 by Ord. No. 13-2008]
The owner or user of an alarm system required to register the
system with the Borough Police Department shall pay a one-time fee
of $50. The owner or user of a dial alarm shall be required to pay
a fifteen-dollar fee annually. Owners or users with alarm systems
connected to the alarm panel shall be required to pay a thirty-five-dollar
fee annually.
Any person owning an alarm system not in compliance with this
chapter at the time of adoption of this chapter shall, within 90 days,
make any and all necessary modifications to the system in order to
bring the system into full compliance with the provisions of this
chapter. Failure to bring existing alarm systems into compliance may
result in disconnection from the alarm panel or subject the owner
or user to the penalties contained hereinafter, or both.
The Washington Borough Police Department shall make provisions
for an alarm panel to be located within the dispatcher area. The contract
for installing and maintaining said alarm panel may be awarded from
time to time by the Borough Council. The contractor selected must
maintain the panel in good working order. The contractor shall assume
all liability and shall indemnify and save the Borough of Washington,
its officers, agents and employees, harmless for or on account of
any acts or omissions directly or indirectly related to the installation,
operation or maintenance of the alarm panel. All equipment installed
shall be approved by the Borough, and the contractor shall bear any
and all costs of installation and maintenance. In the event the contractor
fails to provide adequate service, the Borough may terminate the contract
at any time, provided that 30 days' notice is given to the contractor.