As used in this article, the following words, terms and phrases shall have the following meanings, unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended:
ALARM ADMINISTRATOR The person or persons designated by the Police Department to administer the provisions of this chapter. The alarm administrator establishes, implements, and oversees all procedures relating to alarms.
ALARM AGENT Any person who is self-employed in or employed by an alarm business, either directly or indirectly, whose duties include any of the following: selling, maintaining, leasing, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving, or installing on or in any building, structure or facility any alarm system. Exemption: 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 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). Exemption: 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 USER AWARENESS CLASS A class 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.
APPLICANT Any person, firm or corporation who or which files an application for an alarm registration as provided in this article.
AUTOMATIC PROTECTION DEVICE (ALARM SYSTEM) Any mechanical or electrically operated instrument composed of sensory apparatus and related hardware which is designed or used for the detection of 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 communication centers and proprietor alarms. Automatic protection devices may be identified as "APDs." Exemption: The following devices shall not be included under the definition of APDs:
A. Devices which are not designed or used to register alarms that are audible, visible, or perceptible outside of the protected building, structure or facility, such as those systems designed for the detection of equipment malfunctions.
B. Devices which are designed for the notification of a condition of fire and are provided for the evacuation of occupants of industries, institutions and other similar premises or devices designed to signal the flow of water in an automatic fire sprinkler system.
C. Devices which are designed for and installed upon motorized vehicles or trailers.
D. Devices maintained and operated by the Manheim Township Police Department and used for the detection of unlawful acts.
COMMUNICATION CENTER Lancaster County Wide Communications and/or other rooms which house auxiliary communication equipment.
FALSE ALARM An activation of an automatic protection device (APD) signal, necessitating a response by the Manheim Township Police Department, where an emergency situation does not exist. The term does not include alarms caused by acts of nature or utility service interruptions.
NOTICE A written notice, given by personal service upon the addressee, or given by United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the person to be notified at his last known address, return receipt requested. Service of such notice shall be effective upon the completion of personal service or upon delivery by the United States Postal Service.
PERSON Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, or organization of any kind.
POLICE CHIEF The Chief of Police of the Manheim Township Police Department, or his designated representative.
PROPRIETARY ALARM Any alarm system which sounds within the protected premises or 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 APD, as defined in the definition of "automatic protection device" in this section.
REGISTRATION NUMBER A unique individual number assigned to an alarm user as part of the alarm registration.
RESPONSE ASSESSMENT FEE A fee charged for each and every false alarm activation to which the Police Department responds. Exemption: No fee shall be charged if:
A. The alarm is received indicating line trouble; or
B. Caused by acts of nature.
SUBSCRIBER (ALARM USER) A person who has an APD installed on realty in which the subscriber has an interest or who is applying for the installation of an APD.
The information furnished and secured pursuant to this article shall be confidential in character and shall not be subject to public inspections and shall be kept so that the contents thereof shall not be known except to persons charged with the administration of this article.