This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Alarm Systems
Ordinance of the Town of Cumberland, Maine." This chapter shall repeal
and replace the alarm systems ordinance previously adopted on August
28, 1978.
[Amended 8-10-2020]
The purpose of this chapter is to protect the health, safety
and welfare of its residents and reduce the incidence of false alarms
by establishing appropriate guidelines for the registration and use
of alarm systems.
For purposes of this chapter, certain terms or words used herein
shall be defined as follows:
ALARM AGENT
Any employee or representative of an alarm business whose
duties include installing, servicing or repairing alarm systems located
within the Town.
ALARM SYSTEM
A system including any mechanism, equipment, hardware, software
or device designed for the detection of unauthorized entry upon any
property (other than motor vehicles or vessels), and/or the detection
of heat, smoke or fire, or transmission of the notification of a medical
emergency requiring ambulance response and which transmits a signal,
message or warning from a private facility by any means, including
but not limited to a phone call from a system operator, automated
phone message from an alarm system, an external audible alarm, or
telephonic alarm system designed to operate automatically to the Town
of Cumberland Police Department, Fire/EMS Department, the Cumberland
County Regional Communication Center, or any person, agent, or entity
that subsequently summons an emergency response.
[Amended 8-10-2020]
FALSE ALARM
Any alarm signal sent to the Town of Cumberland Police Department,
Fire/EMS Department, the Cumberland County Regional Communication
Center, or any person, agent, or entity that subsequently summons
an emergency response that is not in response to an actual or attempted
unauthorized entry upon property, any alarm signal sent to the Fire/EMS
Department that is not in response to heat, smoke, fire or water,
and any alarm signal sent to the Fire/EMS Department that is not in
response to a medical emergency. It includes, but is not limited to,
unintentional alarms caused by domestic animals, a malfunctioning
alarm system, negligent activation of the alarm system or an improperly
maintained alarm system, or intentional activation of an alarm system
when an immediate response is not required.
[Amended 8-10-2020; 9-13-2021]
PERSON
A natural person, association, firm, partnership, corporation,
or other entity.
RESPONSIBLE PERSON
The person responsible for an alarm system. In the case of
a residence, the responsible person will generally be a resident.
In any case, if a responsible person cannot be identified, the property
owner shall be considered the responsible person.
[Added 8-10-2020]