Certain terms when used in this chapter are defined as follows,
except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
ALARM AGENT
Any person who is self-employed in or employed by an alarm
business, either directly or indirectly, whose duties include selling,
maintaining, leasing, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving
or installing on or in any building, structure or facility any alarm
system. This definition does not include a person who engages in the
manufacture or sale of an alarm system from a fixed location and who
neither visits the location where the alarm system is to be installed
nor designs the scheme for physical location and installation of the
alarm system in a specific location.
ALARM BUSINESS
Any business operated by any individual, including a person
self-employed, partnership, corporation or other entity which engages
in the activity of selling, leasing, maintaining, servicing, repairing,
altering, replacing, moving or installing any alarm system or causing
to be sold, leased, maintained, serviced, repaired, altered, replaced,
moved or installed any alarm system in or on any building, structure
or facility or employing alarm agent(s). This definition does not
include a person who engages in the manufacture or sale of an alarm
system from a fixed location and who neither visits the location where
the alarm system is to be installed nor designs the scheme for physical
location and installation of the alarm system in a specific location.
ALARM SYSTEM
Any mechanical or electrically operated instrument composed
of sensory apparatus and related hardware which is designed or used
for the detection of a fire or an unauthorized entry or attempted
entry into a building, structure or facility or for alerting others
of the commission of an unlawful act within a building, structure
or facility, or both, and which emits a sound or transmits a signal
or message when activated. Alarm systems include, but are not limited
to, local alarm systems, audible alarms, automatic telephone devices,
alarms connected directly to the communications center, central stations,
and certain proprietary systems as set forth in Subsection A hereof.
This definition shall not include the following devices and their
related hardware:
A.
Devices which are not designed for and as used do not register
alarms that are audible, visible or perceptible outside of the protected
building, structure or facility unless police response is expected
or is a result of the alarm; or
B.
Devices which are designed for and installed upon motorized
vehicles or trailers.
ALARM USER
Any person on whose premises an alarm system is maintained
which system is not specifically exempted from regulation under this
chapter. Sanctions imposed by this chapter shall be determined based
upon false alarms occurring per permitted location and not based upon
the total number of permits possessed by an alarm user.
AUTOMATIC PROTECTION DEVICE (APD)
Any mechanical or electrically operated instrument composed
of sensory apparatus and related hardware which is designated or used
for the detection of a fire or an unauthorized entry into a building,
structure or facility or for alerting others of the commission of
an unlawful act within a building, structure or facility, or both,
and which emits a sound or transmits a signal or message when activated.
Automatic protection devices include, but are not limited to, audible
alarms, automatic dialing devices, alarms connected directly to communications
centers and proprietor alarms. This definition shall not include the
following devices and their related hardware:
A.
Devices which are not designed for and as used do not register
alarms that are audible, visible or perceptible outside of the protected
building, structure or facility unless police response is expected
or is a result of the alarm; or
B.
Devices which are designed for and installed upon motorized
vehicles or trailers; or
C.
Devices maintained and operated by the Bureau of Police used
for the detection of unlawful acts and sometimes known as a "portable
stakeout alarm system."
AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE DEVICE
An alarm system which is interconnected to a telephone line
and is programmed to select a predetermined telephone number and transmit
by prerecorded voice message or coded signal an emergency message
indicating a need for emergency response.
CENTRAL STATION
Any office, except the communications center, to which remote
alarm and supervisory signaling devices are connected, where operators
supervise the circuits and/or where guards are maintained continuously
to investigate alarm signals.
COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
The Communication Room of the Lancaster County Police Radio
Network and/or other rooms which house auxiliary communication equipment.
FALSE ALARM
An activation of an automatic protection device (APD) signal,
necessitating a response where an emergency situation does not exist
at a particular permitted location. The term does not include alarms
caused by acts of nature or utility service interruptions.
LOCAL ALARM SYSTEM
An alarm system which is attached to the interior or exterior
of a building and which when activated causes an audible and/or visual
warning signal which can be heard and/or seen outside the building
and is designed to attract attention when activated by a fire or an
intrusion or other emergency requiring police response.
PERSON
Any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company or organization of any kind and, when used in any clause prescribing
and imposing a penalty, "person" includes the individual members,
partners, officers and managers, or any of them, of partnerships,
associations and similar entities, and the officers, directors and
managers, or any of them, of corporations.
PROPRIETARY SYSTEM
Any alarm system which sounds within the protected premises
or a control center under the supervision of the proprietor of the
protected building, structure or facility. If police response is expected
or is a result of that proprietary alarm signal or message, it thereby
becomes an alarm system as defined by this chapter.
RESPONSE ASSESSMENT FEE
A fee charged to a permittee for each and every false alarm
to which the police or fire department responds. Exemption: No fee
shall be charged if:
A.
The alarm is received indicating line trouble.
B.
The false alarm was caused by an act of nature.
C.
The false alarm was caused by utility service interruptions.
TOWNSHIP MANAGER
The Township Manager of Lancaster Township or his designated
representative. Wherever in this chapter duties or responsibilities
are assigned to the Township Manager, he may delegate them to such
person or persons with the Township as he deems necessary and expedient
for the effective administration of this chapter.
The Township Manager may promulgate such regulations as are
necessary for the administration and enforcement of this chapter.
Before becoming effective, any such regulations shall be approved
by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
The information furnished and secured pursuant to this chapter
shall be confidential in character and shall not be disclosed except
in accordance with law, order of court, or if required in connection
with the administration and enforcement of this chapter.
This chapter shall be enforced by the Bureau of Police acting
through the Township Manager or his designated representative.
A written notice advising of said false alarm and indicating
an appropriate response assessment fee due shall be issued in the
name of and served upon the permittee or any other connected with
the alarm system.
Any person violating any provision of this chapter or of the
regulations promulgated hereunder shall, upon conviction thereof in
a summary proceeding, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than
$50 and not more than $600 and costs for each and every offense and,
in default of payment, to imprisonment for not more than 30 days.
Each day during which any person violates any provision of this chapter
shall constitute a separate offense. The payment of any fees required
in the chapter shall not be a bar against prosecution for any violation
of the chapter. In addition to the foregoing penalty, the Township
may seek injunctive or other equitable relief and exercise such other
rights as may exist at law or equity.