As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from
the context:
ACCIDENTAL FALSE ALARMS
Any false alarm which is not an intentional false alarm,
as defined herein, or which sounds when an intrusion, crime, fire
or other emergency has not actually occurred.
ALARM
An audible signal emitted by a warning device indicating
that a crime, fire or other emergency situation warranting immediate
action by the Police and/or Fire Departments has occurred or is occurring.
This definition shall include, but shall not be limited to, those
alarm devices which provide for a telephoned warning message to the
Borough Police Department or a 9-1-1 emergency dispatch center designated
for such messages.
ALARM DEVICE
An electrical (or electronic) or mechanical device designed
to automatically transmit an alarm by wire, telephone, radio or other
means:
A.Â
To a person who is instructed to notify the Borough Police Department
or a 9-1-1 emergency dispatch center of the alarm; or
B.Â
To activate a bell or sounding device to be heard outside a
building which is intended to alert the police or fire company or
others to the existence of a crime, fire or other emergency situation
warranting Police and/or Fire Department action.
BOROUGH
Borough of Bellevue, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and
its duly authorized agents, servants or employees.
FALSE ALARM
An alarm to which the Police and/or Fire Departments respond,
resulting from the activation of an alarm device when a crime, fire
or other emergency warranting immediate action by the Police and/or
Fire Department has not in fact occurred.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Borough Fire Department and/or all the members thereof,
or any other fire department authorized to act within the Borough.
INTENTIONAL FALSE ALARM
A false alarm resulting from the intentional activation of
an alarm by an individual under circumstances where that individual
has no reasonable basis to believe that a crime, fire or other emergency
warranting immediate action by the Police and/or Fire Departments
has occurred or is occurring.
PERSON
An individual, corporation, partnership, incorporated association
or other similar entity.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Borough Police Department and all the members thereof,
or any other police officer authorized to act within the Borough.
TELEPHONE DIALER ALARM DEVICE
An alarm device designed to transmit a notice over regular
telephone lines: 1) to a person who is instructed to notify the Borough
Police Department or a 9-1-1 emergency dispatch center; or 2) directly
to the Borough Police Department or a 9-1-1 emergency dispatch center.
Nothing contained within this chapter shall preclude other organizations
involved in the alarm process, such as the Borough Police Department
or the 9-1-1 Emergency Dispatch Center, from assessing a charge for
the registration, maintenance, testing or other services provided
to the owner of the alarm by those organizations.
The registration of an alarm device shall not constitute acceptance
by the Borough or the Borough Police and/or Fire Departments, or the
9-1-1 Emergency Dispatch Center, nor any of their agencies or personnel,
of any liability to maintain any equipment, to answer alarms, nor
otherwise render the Borough or the Borough Police and/or Fire Departments
or the 9-1-1 Emergency Dispatch Center liable to any person for any
loss or damage relating to the alarm system or procedures.
[Amended 1-4-2010 by Ord. No. 09-13]
Administration and enforcement of this chapter shall be the
function of the Borough Police Department and/or the Deputy Fire Marshal(s)
and shall include the following:
A. Authority to order the disconnection and/or discontinuance of use
of an alarm device until such device is made to comply with operational
standards set forth herein, but only when evidence of failure to comply
with said standards imposes a burden upon the Borough, Police or Fire
Department as a result of false alarms.
B. Authority, at reasonable times and upon written notice, to enter
upon any premises within the Borough to inspect the installation and
operation of an alarm device.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision
of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay
a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment
of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30
days. Each day that a violation of this chapter continues shall constitute
a separate offense.