[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Northampton 6-2-1994 by Ord. No. 1059 (Ch. 13, Part 4, of the 1993 Code
of Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Audible
Alarms Ordinance."
It is hereby found that with consistency, at certain times,
a threat to public health, safety and welfare arises from the strain
upon municipal services created by the response to false audible alarms
in the Borough of Northampton. The purpose of this chapter is to reduce
the amount of false audible alarms, as well as the excessive strain
upon municipal services resulting from such unnecessary audible alarms
and to insure that the municipal services will not be hampered by
said alarms. Furthermore, to advise the inhabitants of Northampton
Borough that effective November 7, 1994, at 09:00 hours, the Northampton
Borough Police Department will no longer monitor any audible alarms
that are connected to the Northampton Police Department.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall
apply:
Any device designed to provide, or which will provide an
audible, visual or other type of signal, which is intended to advise
or alert municipal or private services to respond to an emergency
in the Borough of Northampton.
The entire Borough of Northampton, including residential,
commercial and any with all other structures or places.
A natural person, firm, corporation, partnership or any other
entity.
Effective November 7, 1994, at 0:900 hours, the Northampton
Borough Police Department, and all other municipal services, including
but not limited to fire, ambulance or emergency, will cease to monitor
any alarms that are connected to the Northampton Police Department.
Inhabitants are advised to have all said alarms removed and disconnected
prior to said date and are suggested to contact a private alarm company.
No person shall cause or permit an alarm to be in a state of
disrepair or allow said alarm to be in a state of disrepair or cause
the emitting of the signal thereof when there is no actual intrusion
and/or fire or emergency.
This chapter shall not apply to alarms originating in any municipal,
emergency, police, fire, ambulance or other governmental agency/building
operating within the Borough.
Any person, firm, partnership or corporation who shall violate
the false alarm provision of this chapter shall, upon first offense
per calendar year, receive a written warning; upon second offense
per calendar year, pay a fine of $25; upon third offense per calendar
year, pay a fine of $50; and upon every subsequent offense per year,
shall pay a fine of $100, plus costs and, in default of payment of
said fine and costs, shall be subject to a term of imprisonment not
to exceed 30 days. Each day that a violation of this chapter continues
shall constitute a separate offense.
