For various reasons, false 9-1-1 calls have become an increasing
problem in the Borough of Florham Park. Each false call requires response
by emergency response personnel, involves unnecessary expenses to
the Borough and dilutes the Borough's ability to respond to legitimate
emergencies. Such false calls affect the health, safety and welfare
of the citizens.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
EMERGENCY
For purposes of this chapter, an emergency exists when a
person reasonably believes that immediate response by public safety
personnel is essential due to the risk or actual occurrence of death
or bodily harm, property damage, or any other situation which reasonably
requires the immediate response of public safety personnel.
It shall be a violation of this ordinance for any person, business
or entity to utilize and abuse the 9-1-1 emergency service for purposes
of eliciting response from the Police Department, Fire Department
or Rescue Squad in the absence of an actual police, fire and/or medical
emergency. Pursuant to this ordinance:
A. No person shall use the 9-1-1 emergency telephone number system for
any purpose other than to report an emergency.
B. No person shall use the 9-1-1 system to report an emergency knowing
that the fact situation which he/she reports does not exist.
C. No person shall dial 9-1-1 and hang up without reporting an emergency
if, in fact, no emergency exists.
D. No parent, guardian or other adult having the care and custody of
a person under the age of 18 years shall permit or by insufficient
control allow such person to violate the provisions of this ordinance.
E. Any person convicted of improperly utilizing the 9-1-1 emergency
service as set forth above shall be guilty of abusing the service
and shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,250 or imprisonment
for a term not to exceed 90 days, or both.