[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee
of the Township of Middle as indicated in article histories. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 8-17-1989 by Ord. No. 690-89]
A.
It is hereby declared to be unlawful for any person
or entity to place a call to or otherwise communicate with the Middle
Township Police Department or any duly constituted volunteer fire
company or rescue squad situated within the confines of the Township
of Middle for purposes of eliciting a response from the aforementioned
Police Department, fire company or rescue squad, as the case may be,
in the absence of a bona fide police, fire and/or medical emergency.
For purposes of this article, the term "response" shall be deemed
to mean a personal appearance by a police officer, fire official or
rescue squad official.
B.
It is hereby declared to be unlawful for any person
or entity to utilize the 911 service for purposes of eliciting a response
from the Police Department, Fire Department or rescue squad, as the
case may be, in the absence of a bona fide police, fire and/or medical
emergency.
[Added 5-7-1992 by Ord. No. 815-92]
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former § 137-2, Personal appearance
of owner or caller required, was repealed 5-3-2010 by Ord. No. 1353-10.
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former § 137-3, List of contact
persons to be submitted, amended 8-16-2004 by Ord. No. 1172-04, was
repealed 5-3-2010 by Ord. No. 1353-10.
[Amended 4-5-1990 by Ord. No. 720-90]
A.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this
article shall be liable to one or more of the following: a fine of
not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 or imprisonment for a term
not to exceed 90 days or a period of community service not to exceed
90 days for every offense.
B.
Any person convicted of improperly utilizing the 911
service as set forth above shall be subject to a fine of up to $200
for the first offense and up to $500 for each subsequent offense.
If the violation of this article is of a continuing nature, each day
during which it continues shall constitute a separate offense for
the purpose of this section.
[Added 5-7-1992 by Ord. No. 815-92]
[Adopted 5-3-2010 by Ord. No. 1353-10[1]]
A.
The purpose of this article is to encourage alarm users to properly
use and maintain the operational effectiveness of alarm systems in
order to improve the reliability of alarm systems and reduce or eliminate
false alarms.
B.
This article governs alarm systems intended to summon law enforcement
response, and requires a permit, establishes fees, provides for penalties
and fines for violations, and establishes a system of administration.
A.
Responsibility for administration of this section is vested with
the Chief of Police or his or her designee.
B.
The Chief of Police shall designate an Alarm Administrator to carry
out the duties and functions described in this section.
C.
The Alarm Administrator shall conduct an annual evaluation and analysis
of the effectiveness of this article and identify system improvements
to the Chief of Police and Township Committee.
In this article, the following terms and phrases shall have
the following meanings:
A person or persons designated by the Chief of Police to
administer the provisions of this article.
The legal contract or agreement by and between the alarm
installation company and/or monitoring company and the alarm user.
A notification to a law enforcement agency that an alarm,
either manual or automatic, has been activated at a particular alarm
site.
A person or entity in the business of selling, providing,
maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving or
installing an alarm system in an alarm site. This definition shall
also include individuals or firms that install and service the alarm
systems that will be used in their private or proprietary facilities.
This does not include persons doing installation or repair work where
such work is performed without compensation of any kind (i.e., "do-it-yourselfers").
Authorization granted by the Alarm Administrator to an alarm
user to alarm system.
A person designated by an alarm installation company or monitoring
company to handle alarm issues for the company and act as the primary
point of contact for the jurisdiction's Alarm Administrator.
A location served by one or more alarm systems. In a multiunit
building or complex, each unit shall be considered a separate alarm
site if served by a separate alarm system. In a single unit building
that houses two or more separate businesses with separate alarm systems,
each business will be considered a separate alarm site.
A device or series of devices which emit or transmit an audible
or remote visual or electronic alarm signal which is intended to summon
police response. The term includes hardwired systems and systems interconnected
with a radio frequency method such as cellular or private radio signals,
and includes local alarm systems, but does not include an alarm installed
in a motor vehicle, on one's person, or a system which will not
emit a signal either audible or visible from the outside of the building,
residence or beyond, but is designed solely to alert the occupants
of a building or residence.
Any person who has contracted for monitoring, repair, installation
or maintenance service for an alarm system from an alarm installation
company or monitoring company, or who owns or operates an alarm system
which is not monitored, maintained or repaired under agreement.
A class or online school conducted for the purpose of educating
alarm users about the responsible use, operation, and maintenance
of alarm systems and the problems created by false alarms.
A list provided by the alarm user's alarm installation
company or if no alarm agreement exists between the alarm user and
an alarm installation company, the alarm user's monitoring company.
A device that controls an alarm system.
Any electronic, mechanical, or other device which, when activated,
is capable of being programmed to send a prerecorded voice or alarm
message to a law enforcement agency requesting a police dispatch to
an alarm site.
An alarm intended to identify the presence of an intruder
in either a business or residence, and includes fire alarms intended
to notify the presence of a fire in a business or residence.
A burglar alarm dispatch request reported by a monitoring
company that indicates a crime is in progress based upon an audio,
video or other electronic means verification device installed at the
alarm site.
The termination of a police response to an alarm site after
dispatch request is made but before an officer has arrived at the
alarm site.
The transaction or process by which one alarm installation
company or monitoring company begins the servicing or monitoring of
a previously unmonitored alarm system or an alarm system that was
previously serviced or monitored by another alarm company.
A check-off list provided by the Alarm Administrator to the
alarm installer to provide to the alarm user to complete prior to
the activation of an alarm system.
A silent alarm system signal generated by the entry of a
designated code into an arming station in order to signal that the
alarm user is being forced to turn off the system and requires an
officer's response.
An attempt by the monitoring company, or its representative,
to contact the alarm site and/or alarm user and/or the alarm user's
designated representatives by telephone and/or other electronic means,
whether or not actual contact with a person is made, to determine
whether an alarm signal is valid before requesting a police dispatch,
in an attempt to avoid an unnecessary alarm dispatch request. For
the purpose of this article, telephone verification shall require,
as a minimum that a second call be made to a different number, if
the first attempt fails to reach an alarm user who can properly identify
himself/herself to determine whether an alarm signal is valid before
requesting an officer dispatch. Name and numbers of those contacted
or attempted to contact must be provided when requested.
An alarm dispatch request to the Police Department, which
results in the responding officer finding no evidence of a criminal
offense or attempted criminal offense after completing an investigation
of the alarm site.
A silent alarm signal generated by the manual activation
of a device is intended to signal a robbery in progress or immediately
after it has occurred.
The Chief of Police or other authorized representative of
a law enforcement agency.
An unmonitored alarm system that annunciates an alarm only
at the alarm site.
The process by which a monitoring company receives signals
from an alarm system and relays an alarm dispatch request to the Police
Department.
A person in the business of providing monitoring services.
The manual activation of a silent alarm signal by entering
a code that adds one to the last digit of the normal arm/disarm code:
normal code 1234, one-plus duress code = 1235).
The real-time audio/video surveillance of an alarm site by
the monitoring company, by means of devices that permit either the
direct, live listening in or viewing of an alarm site or portions
thereof.
An alarm system signal generated by the manual activation
of a device intended to signal a life threatening or emergency situation
requiring an officer's response.
An individual, corporation, partnership, association, organization
or similar entity.
The Middle Township Police Department.
A telephone line serving the Township's Police Department
that is solely designated to receive emergency calls.
An alarm system that produces a temporary disability or sensory
deprivation through the use of chemical, electrical, sonic or other
means, including use of devices that obscure or disable a person's
vision.
A person capable of appearing at the alarm site upon request
who has access to the alarm site, the code to the alarm system and
the authority to approve repairs to the alarm system.
An alarm signal generated by the manual or automatic activation
of a device, or any system, device or mechanism on or near the premises
intended to signal that a robbery or other crime is in progress, and
that a person is in need of immediate police assistance in order to
avoid bodily harm, injury or death. The term has the same general
meaning as "holdup alarm" or "duress alarm."
The ANSI — American National Standard Institute approved
Security Industry Association — SIA CP-01 Control Panel Standard,
as may be updated from time to time, that details recommended design
features for security system control panels and their associated arming
and disarming devices to reduce the incidence of false alarms. Control
panels built and tested to this standard by Underwriters Laboratory
(UL), or other nationally recognized testing organizations, will be
marked to state: "Design evaluated in accordance with SIA CP-01 Control
Panel Standard Features for False Alarm Reduction."
The termination of police response to alarms at a specified
alarm site as a result of false alarms or other violation of the Alarm
Ordinance.
The transaction or process by which an alarm user takes over
control of an existing alarm system, which was previously controlled
by another alarm user.
See "verify."
A site that has not complied with the registration requirements
as defined in the Alarm Ordinance.
An attempt by the monitoring company to determine the validity
of an alarm signal prior to initiating an alarm dispatch request.
Division of devices into which an alarm system is divided
to indicate the general location from which an alarm system signal
is transmitted.
A.
No alarm user shall operate, or cause to be operated, an alarm system
at its alarm site without a valid alarm permit. A separate alarm permit
is required for each alarm site.
B.
The fee for an alarm permit or an alarm permit renewal is set forth
below and shall be paid by the alarm user. No refund of a permit fee
or permit renewal fee will be made. The initial alarm permit fee must
be submitted to the Alarm Administrator within 20 days after the alarm
system installation or alarm system takeover.
C.
Upon receipt of a completed alarm permit application form and the
alarm permit fee, the Alarm Administrator shall register the applicant
unless the applicant has:
(1)
Failed to pay any fee or fine assessed under this article; or
(2)
Had an alarm permit for the alarm site suspended and the violation
causing the suspension has not been corrected; or
(3)
The alarm installation company and/or the monitoring company listed
on the permit application are not listed as having a valid alarm license
issued by the State of New Jersey, if so required.
D.
Each alarm permit application must include the following information:
(1)
The name, complete address (including apt./suite number), and telephone
numbers of the person who will be the permit holder and be responsible
for the proper maintenance and operation of the alarm system and payment
of fees and fines assessed under this article;
(2)
The classification of the alarm site as either residential (includes
apartment, condo, mobile home, etc.) or commercial;
(3)
For each alarm system located at the alarm site, the classification
of the alarm system (i.e., burglary, holdup, duress, panic alarms
or other) and for each classification whether such alarm is audible
or silent;
(4)
Mailing address, if different from the address of the alarm site;
(5)
Any dangerous or special conditions present at the alarm site;
(6)
Type of business conducted at a commercial alarm site;
(7)
Signed certification from the alarm user stating the following:
(a)
The date of installation, conversion or takeover of the alarm
system, whichever is applicable;
(b)
The name, address, and telephone number of the alarm installation
company or companies performing the alarm system installation, conversion,
or takeover and of the alarm installation company responsible for
providing repair service to the alarm system;
(c)
The name, address, and telephone number of the monitoring company
if different from the alarm installation company;
(d)
That a set of written operating instructions for the alarm system,
including written guidelines on how to avoid false alarms, have been
left with the applicant by the alarm installation company; and
(e)
That the alarm installation company has trained the applicant
in proper use of the alarm system, including instructions on how to
avoid false alarms.
(8)
An acknowledgment that the police response may be influenced by factors,
including, but not limited to, the availability of officers, priority
of calls, weather conditions, traffic conditions, emergency conditions
and staffing levels.
E.
Any false statement of a material fact made by an applicant for the
purpose of obtaining an alarm permit shall be sufficient cause for
refusal to issue a permit.
F.
An alarm permit cannot be transferred to another person or alarm
site. An alarm user shall inform the Alarm Administrator of any change
that alters any of the information listed on the alarm permit application
within five business days of such change.
G.
All fines and fees owed by an applicant must be paid before an alarm
permit may be issued or renewed.
H.
No refund of a permit or permit renewal fee will be made.
I.
Government entities, including but not necessarily limited to the
Township of Middle, the Middle Township Board of Education, and Fire
Districts, must obtain permits for all alarm systems under their control,
but are exempt from the payment of permit and other fees, and fines.
Government entities are subject to all other applicable ordinance
requirements.
An alarm permit shall expire one year from the date of issuance,
and must be renewed annually by submitting an updated application
and a permit renewal fee to the Alarm Administrator. The Alarm Administrator
shall notify each alarm user of the need to renew 30 days prior to
the expiration of the permit. It is the responsibility of the alarm
user to submit an application prior to the permit expiration date.
Failure to renew will be classified as use of a non-registered alarm
system and penalties shall be assessed without waiver. A late fee
of $25 shall be assessed if the renewal is more than 30 days late.
A.
An alarm user shall:
(2)
Maintain the alarm site and the alarm system in a manner that will
minimize or eliminate false alarms;
(3)
Provide the monitoring company with updated names and telephone numbers
of at least two individuals who are able and have agreed to:
(5)
Not activate an alarm system for any reason other than an occurrence
of an event that the alarm system was intended to report.
B.
After the effective date of this article, it is a violation for any
person to operate an alarm system in the Township of Middle that has
a siren, bell or other signal that is audible from any property adjacent
to the alarm site that sounds for longer than 10 consecutive minutes
after the alarm is activated, or that repeats the ten-minute audible
cycle more than two consecutive times during a single armed period.
An administrative fee of $100 shall be assessed for each violation
of this section.
C.
An alarm user shall have an alarm installation company inspect the
alarm system after three false alarms within a one-year permit period.
The alarm user must have an alarm installation company within 30 days
of written notice, modify the alarm system to be more false-alarm
resistant and provide additional user training as appropriate. An
alarm user shall submit a written statement from an alarm installation
company stating that the alarm system has been inspected and repaired
(if necessary) by the alarm installation company. Failure to comply
may result in the suspension of the alarm user's permit.
D.
An alarm user shall maintain at each alarm site, a set of written
operating instructions for each alarm system.
E.
All alarm users shall agree with their alarm installation company
and/or monitoring company to go through an "acclimation period" for
the first seven days after installation of an alarm system during
which time the alarm installation company and/or monitoring company
will have no obligation to and will not respond to any alarm signal
from the alarm site, excluding panic, duress and holdup signals, and
will not make an alarm dispatch request to law enforcement, even if
the alarm signal is the result of an actual alarm event.
A.
Each alarm installation company and alarm monitoring company must
designate one individual as the Alarm Response Manager (ARM) for the
company. The individual designated as the ARM must be knowledgeable
of the provisions of this article, as well as have the knowledge and
authority to deal with false alarm issues and respond to requests
from the Alarm Administrator. The name, contact number, and e-mail
address of the ARM must be provided to the Alarm Administrator.
B.
Alarm installation companies shall:
(1)
Upon the installation or activation of an alarm system, the alarm
installation company shall distribute to the alarm user information
summarizing:
(2)
After the effective date of this article, alarm installation companies
shall not program alarm systems so that they are capable of sending
one-plus duress alarms. Monitoring companies may continue to report
one-plus duress alarms received from alarm systems programmed with
one-plus duress alarms installed prior to the effective date of this
article.
(3)
After the effective date of this article, alarm installation companies
shall not install, modify or repair "single action" devices for the
activation of holdup, robbery or panic alarms. New devices shall require
two actions or an activation delay to provide more positive assurance
that the user intends to activate the device.
(4)
Sixty days after the effective date of this article, an alarm installation
company shall, on new installations, use only alarm control panel(s)
which meet ANSI/SIA CP-01– Control Panel Standard – Features
for False Alarm Reduction.
(5)
After the effective date of this article an alarm company shall not
use an automatic voice dialer for any alarm system which, when activated,
uses a telephone device or attachment to automatically dial a telephone
line leading into the Police Department and then transmit any prerecorded
message or signal. An administrative fee of $100 per incident shall
be assessed for any violation of this provision.
(7)
The alarm company shall ensure that all alarm users of alarm systems
equipped with a duress, robbery, holdup or panic alarm have been provided
adequate training as to the proper use of the alarm.
(8)
Each installation company must maintain, for a period of at least
one year after the date of the alarm system's activation, the
completed Customer False Alarm Prevention Checklist. The Alarm Administrator
may request copies of such records for any individual alarm user.
The alarm installation company shall furnish the requested records
within 30 days after receiving the request. Failure to comply with
this subsection will incur an administrative service fee of $50.
C.
A monitoring company shall:
(1)
Not make an alarm dispatch request to a burglar alarm signal during
the first seven-day acclimation period after a burglar alarm system
installation or activation. Exceptions to the acclimation period of
non-response can be made by the Police Department in special circumstances,
including but not limited to, domestic violence and stalking.
(2)
Report alarm signals by using telephone numbers designated by the
Alarm Administrator.
(3)
Employ Enhanced Call Verification on all burglar alarms. The Police
Department may refuse to accept burglar alarm calls from monitoring
companies that fail to perform Enhanced Call Verification.
(4)
Communicate alarm dispatch requests to the Police Department in a
manner and form determined by the Alarm Administrator.
(5)
Communicate cancellations to the Police Department in a manner and
form determined by the Alarm Administrator.
(6)
Communicate any available information (north, south, front, back,
door, window, etc.) about the location of an alarm signal(s) as part
of an alarm dispatch request.
(7)
Communicate the type of alarm activation (silent or audible, interior
or perimeter), if available, on any alarm dispatch request.
(8)
Notify the Township of Middle Police Department (Dispatch) of any
alarm site that it knows, or reasonably should know, is fitted with
a protective-reactive device. During any alarm at such a site, a responsible
party must be contacted and confirm that he or she will respond to
the alarm site to disarm the device. In all cases where a protective-reactive
device is present at an alarm site, the police dispatch request shall
include a warning for officers not to enter the alarm site until the
responsible party is present and has disarmed the device.
(10)
After an alarm dispatch request, promptly advise the Police
Department if the monitoring company knows that the alarm user or
a responsible party is on the way to the alarm site.
(11)
Contact the alarm user or responsible party within 24 hours
via mail, fax, telephone or other electronic means to advise them
that an alarm dispatch request of the Police Department was made.
(12)
Each monitoring company must maintain, for a period of at least
one year after the date of an alarm dispatch request, all records
relating to the alarm dispatch request. Records must include the name,
address and telephone number of the alarm user, each alarm system
zone activated, the time of alarm dispatch request and evidence of
all attempts to verify. The Alarm Administrator may request copies
of such records for any individual alarm user. The monitoring company
shall furnish the requested records within 30 days after receiving
the request. Failure to comply with this subsection will incur an
administrative service fee of $50.
(13)
Each monitoring company shall, upon request, immediately provide
the Police Department with the names and phone numbers of the alarm
user's emergency contacts at the time of each alarm dispatch
request.
D.
Existing accounts. Any alarm system which was installed before the
effective date of this article must be registered by the alarm user
within 45 days after being notified. An alarm installation company
or monitoring company, shall, within 30 days after being notified
in writing from the Alarm Administrator, provide an alarm user list
of existing alarm users in the Township of Middle, including name,
address, billing address, telephone number and the telephone number
of the law enforcement agency that they have listed to call to report
an alarm for that alarm site, to the Alarm Administrator.
E.
Maintaining tracking data. Within 30 days prior to the first day
of January of each year, an alarm installation company or monitoring
company shall provide the Alarm Administrator with a complete alarm
user list of active customers whose premises are located within the
Township of Middle, to assist the Alarm Administrator with creating
and maintaining tracking data. The customer information must be provided
in a format acceptable to the Alarm Administrator that includes the
following:
F.
Conversion or termination of alarm users. An alarm installation company
or monitoring company that converts the servicing of any alarm system
account from another company or terminates an account shall notify
the Alarm Administrator of such conversion or termination and shall
provide to the Alarm Administrator, within 30 days from the date of
conversion or termination, an alarm user list of the converted or
terminated accounts, in a format acceptable to the Alarm Administrator,
that includes the following:
I.
New alarm systems. Any alarm installation company that installs or
activates an alarm system on premises within the Township of Middle
after the effective date of this article must notify the Alarm Administrator
within 10 days after the date of installation and provide the name,
address, billing address, and telephone number of the alarm user.
The failure to notify in accordance with the terms of this subsection
shall result in an administrative fee of $100 per incident against
the alarm installation company. The alarm installation company shall
have the alarm user complete a Customer False Alarm Prevention Checklist.
The alarm installation company shall keep on file the completed checklist
for up to one year after the activation of the alarm system.
A.
Every alarm installation company and every alarm monitoring company
serving customers in the Township of Middle shall maintain a valid
alarm license issued by the State of New Jersey if so required.
B.
The alarm installation company shall provide the name, address and
phone number of any monitoring company that it is using to monitor
its alarm sites within the Township, and monitoring companies shall
do the same for alarm installation companies that they monitor alarm
sites for that are within the Township.
B.
The Alarm Administrator shall establish a procedure to record such
information on alarm dispatch requests necessary to permit the Alarm
Administrator to maintain records, including, but not limited to,
the information listed below.
(1)
Identification of the registration number for the alarm site;
(2)
Identification of the alarm site;
(3)
Date and time the alarm dispatch request was received, including
the name of the monitoring company and the monitoring operator name
or number;
(4)
Date and time of the police officer arrival at the alarm site;
(5)
Alarm zone and zone description, if available;
(6)
Identification of the responsible alarm installation company or monitoring
company;
(7)
Whether a police officer was unable to locate the address of the
alarm site;
(8)
Cause of alarm signal, if known.
C.
The Alarm Administrator shall establish a procedure for the notification
to the alarm user of a false alarm. The notice shall include the following
information:
D.
The Alarm Administrator may require that a conference be held with
an alarm user and the alarm installation company or monitoring company
responsible for repairing or monitoring of the alarm system to review
the circumstances of any false alarms. The conference may be held
in person or through a conference telephone call, at the Alarm Administrator's
discretion.
E.
The Alarm Administrator may create and implement an alarm user awareness
class or online alarm school. The Alarm Administrator may request
the assistance of associations, alarm companies and law enforcement
agencies in developing and implementing the class. The class shall
inform alarm users of the problems created by false alarms and teach
alarm users how to avoid generating false alarms.
F.
The Alarm Administrator may require an alarm user to remove a holdup
alarm device that is a single-action, non-recessed button, or have
it replaced with an acceptable dual-action or recessed device after
the occurrence of a false holdup alarm.
G.
The Alarm Administrator may require an alarm user to remove the duress
or panic alarm capability from their alarm system after the occurrence
of a false alarm.
H.
The Alarm Administrator will make a copy of this article and/or an
ordinance summary sheet available to the alarm user.
A.
An alarm user shall not program or cause to be programmed an automatic
voice dialer to select a primary trunk line or 9-1-1.
B.
An alarm user shall disconnect or reprogram an automatic voice dialer
which is programmed to select a primary trunk line or 9-1-1 within
24 hours of receipt of written notice from the Alarm Administrator
that it is so programmed.
C.
Every automatic voice dialer shall be programmed to dial a specific
number so designated by the law enforcement authority.
D.
Any alarm user who violates this section will be subject to a fine
of $100.
A.
An alarm user shall be subject to service fees, depending on the
number of false burglar alarms within the one-year permit period based
upon the following schedule:
(1)
First false alarm: complimentary.
(2)
Second false alarm: $50, waived if the violator takes the alarm user
awareness class, which class shall be a link on the Township website.
(3)
Third false alarm: $75 each.
(4)
Fourth and fifth false alarms: $150 each.
(5)
Sixth and above: $250 each.
(6)
Robbery, panic and burglary crime in progress false alarm service
fees: $150 for each false alarm.
B.
In addition, any person operating an unregistered alarm system will
be subject to a service fee of $100 for each false alarm in addition
to any other fees or fines.
C.
If cancellation of an alarm dispatch request occurs prior to a police
officer arriving at the scene, no false alarm will be assessed.
D.
Notice of the right of appeal under this article will be included
with any fees or fines.
E.
If any fee or fine assessed in this section is not paid within 30
days after a notice or invoice is mailed, a late fee in the amount
of $25 shall be imposed.
A.
The Alarm Administrator shall notify the Police Department of each
alarm user whose alarm permit qualifies for suspension under this
section. The Alarm Administrator may suspend an alarm permit if it
is determined that:
(1)
There is a violation of this section by the alarm user; or
(2)
There is a false statement of a material fact in the application
for a permit; or
(3)
The alarm user has failed or refused to pay an alarm permit fee,
alarm permit renewal fee, false alarm service fee, any late fee, or
any other assessed fee under this section, more than 30 days after
the fee is due. This applies to all classifications of alarms including
burglary, burglary in progress, panic, duress, holdup and robbery.
(4)
The alarm user has had five or more false burglar alarms within one
year after the date of issuance of its annual permit, except that
the Alarm Administrator may waive a suspension of a permit upon receipt
of documented work orders showing reasonable attempts to repair the
alarm system.
(5)
The alarm user failed to participate in a scheduled alarm conference.
B.
The police may not respond to any alarm, where the alarm site is
under suspension.
A.
It is a violation of this section for a person to operate an alarm
system during the period in which the alarm permit is suspended. It
is a violation of this section for a monitoring company to make an
alarm dispatch request to an alarm site after the monitoring company's
alarm response manager has been notified by the Alarm Administrator
that the permit for that alarm site has been suspended. The monitoring
company shall be given a three-day notice prior this action. The monitoring
company shall be assessed a service fee of $100 for each such dispatch
to an alarm site. If the fee is not paid within 30 days after the
invoice is mailed, a late fee in the amount of $25 will be imposed
on the monitoring company.
B.
Unless there is a separate indication that there is a crime in progress,
Emergency Communications shall not dispatch an officer to an alarm
site for which an alarm permit is suspended.
A.
On the first suspension of a permit, a person whose alarm permit
has been suspended may obtain reinstatement of the permit by the Alarm
Administrator if the person:
(1)
Pays a reinstatement fee of $50;
(2)
Pays, or otherwise resolves, all outstanding fees and penalties;
(3)
Submits a written notice from an alarm installation company stating
that the alarm system has been inspected and repaired (if necessary)
by the alarm installation company; and
(4)
The alarm user successfully completes an online alarm awareness class
and test.
B.
On the second and every subsequent suspension of a permit, reinstatement may be obtained by compliance with Subsection A(1) above and compliance with any of the following conditions that the Alarm Administrator may require:
(1)
Upgrade the alarm control panel to meet SIA Control Panel Standard
CP-01.
(2)
A written statement from an independent inspector designated by the
Chief of Police or his designee that the alarm system has been inspected
and is in good working order.
(3)
Confirmation that all motion detectors are "dual technology" type.
(4)
Confirmation that the alarm system requires two independent zones
to trigger before transmitting an alarm signal to the monitoring company.
(5)
Confirmation that the alarm system requires two independent detectors
to trigger before transmitting an alarm signal to the monitoring company.
(6)
Written notice that the monitoring company will not make an alarm
dispatch request unless the need for an officer is confirmed by a
listen-in device. This condition does not apply to residential property.
(7)
Written notice that the monitoring company will not make an alarm
dispatch request unless the need for an officer is confirmed by a
camera device. This condition does not apply to residential property.
(8)
Written notice that the monitoring company will not make an alarm
dispatch request unless the need for an officer is confirmed by a
person at the alarm site.
C.
The Police Department shall reinstate its response to an alarm site
as soon as it is practicable, after receiving notice of reinstatement
from the Alarm Administrator. The alarm user and monitoring company
shall take notice that the alarm site has been officially reinstated
only after receiving notice from the Alarm Administrator of that fact.
A.
The Alarm Administrator shall notify the alarm user in writing after
each false alarm. The notification shall include a warning letter
if appropriate or the amount of the service fee for the false alarm.
The right of appeal under this article will be included with the notice.
B.
The Alarm Administrator shall notify the alarm user in writing and
the appropriate alarm installation company or monitoring company by
electronic mail 30 days before an alarm response is to be suspended.
The right of appeal under this article will be included with the notice.
A.
If the Alarm Administrator assesses a service fee, fine, or denies
the issuance, renewal or reinstatement of an alarm permit, the Alarm
Administrator shall send written notice of the action and a statement
of the right to an appeal to the appropriate affected applicant, alarm
user, alarm installation company or monitoring company.
B.
The alarm user, alarm installation company or monitoring company
may appeal an assessment of a service fee, fine, the suspension of
an alarm permit, the denial of an alarm permit, suspension of response
or suspension of police response by setting forth in writing the reasons
for the appeal within 15 business days after notice of the action
of the Alarm Administrator.
C.
The alarm user or the alarm installation company or monitoring company
may appeal the decision of the Alarm Administrator to the law enforcement
authority as follows:
(1)
The applicant, alarm user, alarm installation company or the monitoring
company may file a written request for a review by paying an appeal
fee of $25 and setting forth the reasons for the appeal within 20
business days after the date of notification of the decision from
the Alarm Administrator. Appeal fees will be returned to the appealing
alarm user, alarm installation company or monitoring company if the
appeal is upheld.
(2)
The law enforcement authority shall conduct a review of the appeal
within 30 days of the receipt of the request and consider the evidence
presented by the individual filing the appeal or any interested parties.
The law enforcement authority shall make its decision on the basis
of the preponderance of evidence presented at the hearing. The law
enforcement authority must render a decision within 15 days after
the date of the hearing. The law enforcement authority shall affirm
or reverse the decision of the Alarm Administrator.
D.
Filing of a request for appeal shall stay the action by the Alarm
Administrator suspending the payment of a fee/fine, the suspension
of an alarm permit, the denial of a alarm permit or suspension of
response until the law enforcement authority has completed its review.
If a request for appeal is not made within the twenty-business-day
period, the action of the Alarm Administrator is final.
E.
The Alarm Administrator or law enforcement authority may adjust the
count of false alarms based on:
(1)
Evidence that a false alarm was caused by action of a communications
services provider (i.e., telephone, cellular, cable company);
(2)
Evidence that a false alarm was caused by a power outage lasting
longer than four hours or severe weather such as a tornado or earthquake;
(3)
Evidence that the alarm dispatch request was not a false alarm;
(4)
Evidence of documented work orders showing reasonable attempts to
repair the alarm system prior to additional false alarms.
(5)
Any other circumstances that demonstrate by a preponderance of the
evidence that it was not a false alarm. In determining the number
of false alarms, multiple alarms occurring in any twenty-four-hour
period may be counted as one false alarm to allow the alarm user time
to take corrective action unless the false alarms are directly caused
by the alarm user.
In the interest of public safety, all information contained
in and gathered through the alarm permit applications, records relating
to alarm dispatch requests, and applications for appeals shall be
held in confidence by all employees or representatives of the Township
of Middle and by any third-party administrator or employees of a third-party
administrator with access to such information.
Alarm Registration is not intended to, nor will it, create a
contract, duty or obligation, either expressed or implied, of response.
Any and all liability and consequential damage resulting from the
failure to respond to a notification is hereby disclaimed and governmental
immunity as provided by law is retained. By applying for an alarm
permit, the alarm user acknowledges that the Middle Township Police
Department response may be influenced by factors such as: the availability
of police units, priority of calls, weather conditions, traffic conditions,
emergency conditions, staffing levels, prior response history and
administrative actions.
The Customer False Alarm Checklist shall be as follows:
|
Customer False Alarm Checklist
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Any person or entity that owns real property equipped with a
burglar alarm system, dialer system or any other security system which
causes a call to be placed to the Middle Township Police Department,
any volunteer fire company or any rescue squad situate within the
confines of the Township of Middle, whether the system has already
been installed in an existing building, or is a new system to be installed
in an existing building, or is a new system to be installed in new
construction, shall file with the Middle Township Police Department
a prioritized list reflecting the names, addresses and telephone numbers
of three contact persons who may be called by the Middle
Township Police Department to secure any premises which has generated
an alarm call to the aforementioned Police Department, volunteer Fire
Company and/or rescue squad. Said information must be provided before
the system is made operational. As to new construction, a certificate
of occupancy shall not be issued until the required information is
provided to the Police Department.
|
|
Yes
|
No
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
_____
|
_____
|
1.
|
I have been made aware of the applicable Alarm Ordinance and
I will comply with its requirements. YEARLY PERMIT REQUIRED.
| ||
|
_____
|
_____
|
2.
|
I understand it is my responsibility to prevent false alarms,
and I understand it is critical to assure that all users of the system
(such as residents, employees, guests, cleaning people, and repair
people) are trained on the proper use of the system and its operation.
| ||
|
_____
|
_____
|
3.
|
I understand that there is a seven-day no dispatch period for
INTRUSION alarms, during which time the alarm company will have no
obligation to and will not respond to any alarm signal from my alarm
site and will not make an alarm dispatch request to the police, even
if the alarm signal is the result of an actual alarm event.
| ||
|
_____
|
_____
|
4.
|
I received training in the operation of the system, was provided
an operating sheet and the security system operating manual.
| ||
|
_____
|
_____
|
5.
|
I know what Enhanced Call Verification is and that it's
required.
| ||
|
_____
|
_____
|
6.
|
I know how to test the system and contact the monitoring center.
| ||
|
_____
|
_____
|
7.
|
I understand that my entry time is _____ and my exit time is
_____.
| ||
|
_____
|
_____
|
8.
|
I have the phone number for questions or repair service.
| ||
|
_____
|
_____
|
9.
|
I know how to cancel accidental alarm activations and have the
system cancellation code or code word.
| ||
|
_____
|
_____
|
10.
|
I understand that indoor pets can cause false alarms and I will
contact my alarm company if I acquire any additional indoor pets.
| ||
|
_____
|
_____
|
11.
|
I understand that the main control panel and transformer are
located in:
| ||
|
_____
|
_____
|
12.
|
I have an alarm sheet, which describes how the alarm company
will communicate with me in the event of various alarm signals.
| ||
|
_____
|
_____
|
13.
|
I understand the importance of:
| ||
|
•
|
keeping my emergency contact information updated, and I know
how to do this;
| ||||
|
•
|
immediately advising the alarm company if my phone number changes
(including area code changes); and
| ||||
|
•
|
immediately notify my alarm company of any changes to my telephone
service such as call waiting, VOIP, DSL or a fax line.
| ||||
|
_____
|
_____
|
14.
|
I will advise the alarm company if I do any remodeling (such
as painting, moving walls, doors or windows).
| ||
|
_____
|
_____
|
15.
|
I understand that certain building defects (such as loose-fitting
doors or windows, rodents, inadequate power, and roof leaks) can cause
false alarms. I will correct these defects as I become aware of them.
| ||
|
_____
|
_____
|
16.
|
The alarm company has given me written false alarm prevention
techniques to help me prevent false alarms.
| ||
|
_____
|
_____
|
17.
|
I understand that police response may be influenced by factors,
including, but not limited to, the availability of officers, priority
of calls, weather conditions, traffic conditions, emergency conditions,
staffing levels, past alarm history and administrative actions.
| ||
|
Comments:
| |||||
|
| |||||
|
ALARM COMPANY NAME
|
CUSTOMER
| ||||
|
|
| ||||
|
Installer Signature
|
Customer Signature
| ||||
|
Print Name
|
Print Name
| ||||
|
Date
|
Date
| ||||
