[Ord. 10-2-84, 10/2/1984, § 1; as amended by Ord. 96-6-18-1, 6/18/1996, § 1]
For the purposes of this Part 2, 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
the 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 any emergency service, including
but not limited to fire companies, ambulance, rescue squad and/or
police departments serving any Township residence or business, stating
that emergency response is necessary.
That primary phone number advertised to the public for requesting
emergency services.
Any alarm signal to which police, firefighters or other emergency
or rescue personnel respond which is not the result of any burglary,
fire, robbery or emergency situation.
The Plumstead Township Police Department.
[Ord. 10-2-84, 10/2/1984, § 2; as amended by Ord. 96-6-18-1, 6/18/1996, § 2]
1.
No property owner, lessee of property or other person occupying any
premises within the Township shall put an alarm system into a home
or business without first registering such an alarm with the Township,
including agreeing to pay the Township such sums for false alarms
as are then currently set forth in the Township Fee Schedule, and
shall agree to pay such sums as they may, from time to time, be increased
by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. Within 30 days of the enactment
of this Part 2, all persons, entities, firms, corporations or other
groups that install or maintain alarm systems within the Township
shall register with the Township and provide current information to
the Police Department and emergency agency, if other than the police,
consisting of the names and telephone numbers of responsible persons
who may be contacted in case of emergency who are authorized to provide
services to the alarm system who must be available on a twenty-four-hour
basis. Registration information must be updated immediately whenever
changes are necessary. The registration fee shall be set by the Board
of Supervisors and may be adjusted by the Board of Supervisors.[1]
[Amended by Ord. 2014-04, 8/12/2014]
[1]
Editor's Note: The current Fee Schedule is on file in the
Township offices.
2.
Audible alarms must be silenced within 30 minutes after a designated
responsible person is notified to do so by the police or the alarm
system may be equipped with a timing device that will automatically
silence the audible alarm within 30 minutes after it is actuated.
3.
Direct dial alarms shall not be connected to the emergency agency
emergency phone number. A secondary phone number may be provided by
the responding agency for direct dial alarms only. Direct dial alarms
must be equipped with a device that will prevent more than three repeated
transmissions of an alarm for the same emergency.
4.
Prior to installation of any alarm to any approved agency other than
the Township Police Department, the owner shall provide the Police
Department with a letter signed by an authorized representative of
the agency granting permission for such installation.
5.
It shall be the responsibility of all persons, entities, firms, and
corporations installing such systems within the Township 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 arms from any one location shall be two false alarms
in any calendar month or four false alarms in any one calendar year
period. The Township shall notify the owner, lessee or occupant of
the property in writing upon receipt of the third false alarm within
any calendar year. Said notice shall be sent via United States first-class
mail, postage prepaid. The fee charged for false alarms which exceed
the permissible number allowed shall be set in the Township Fee Schedule[2] and may be amended from time to time by resolution of
the Board of Supervisors. Notice of fees shall be sent for each false
alarm which exceeds the maximum permissible number of false alarms
allowed by this subsection. The owner, lessee or occupant of the property
shall have 10 days to pay the fee charged from the date of the notice.
Failure or refusal to pay the fee charged shall constitute a violation
of this Part, subject to the penalties provided in this section. If,
due to weather conditions, electrical failure, or other malfunction,
three or more false alarms from unrelated locations are received within
thirty minutes of each other, the fee or penalty shall not be assessed
nor shall the false alarm be counted against the permissible number
of false alarms allowed.
[Amended by Ord. 2014-04, 8/12/2014]
[2]
Editor's Note: The current Fee Schedule is on file in the
Township offices.
[Ord. 10-2-84, 10/2/1984, § 3]
The provisions of this Part 2 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 Part 2 shall not apply to alarm systems that are
affixed to motor vehicles.
[Ord. 10-2-84, 10/2/1984, § 4; as amended by Ord. 97-4-15, 4/15/1997; and by Ord.
2004-07, ]
1.
Any person firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Part 2, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a Magisterial District Judge in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days. Each day that a violation of this Part continues or each section of this Part which shall be found to have been violated shall constitute a separate offense.
2.
False alarm violation. Any owner, lessee or user found guilty of
misuse or continual false activation shall, upon conviction thereof
in an action brought before a Magisterial District Judge in the manner
provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania
Rules of Criminal Procedure, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less
than $25 nor more than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment
of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90
days. Each day that a violation of this Part continues or each section
of this Part which shall be found to have been violated shall constitute
a separate offense.
[Ord. 10-2-84, 10/2/1984, § 5; as added by Ord. 96-6-18-1, 6/18/1996, § 4]
Nothing in this Part 2 shall be construed to affect any suit
or proceeding pending in any court or any rights acquired or liability
incurred or any permit issued or any cause or cause of actions existing
under the ordinances of the Township prior to enactment of this Part
2.
