For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms are defined
as follows:
ALARM
A communication indicating or warning that a crime, fire
or other emergency situation warranting immediate action by the Borough
Police or local fire companies has occurred or is occurring.
ALARM DEVICE
A privately owned and operated or a leased electronic, electrical,
mechanical or similar device designed to transmit an alarm by wire,
telephone, radio, audible signal (bell, siren or buzzer) or other
means to the Borough Police, local fire companies, any person or firm
who or which is instructed to notify the Borough Police or local fire
companies, or any person who is within the sound-transmitting distance
limits of such audible signal.
FALSE ALARM
An alarm to which the Borough Police or local fire companies
respond, resulting from the activation of an alarm device, when it
appears that a crime, fire or other emergency warranting immediate
action by the Borough Police or local fire companies has not occurred
at the premises where the alarm was transmitted.
INTENTIONAL FALSE ALARM
An alarm resulting from the intentional activation of an
alarm device by an individual under circumstances where the individual
had no reasonable basis to believe that a crime, fire or other emergency
warranting immediate action by the Borough Police or local fire companies
has occurred or was occurring.
NEW INSTALLATION
A business or residence at which an alarm device has been
installed where an alarm device previously did not exist, or a business
or residence which has made a major change to the existing alarm device
in respect to sensory devices, control panels, audible signals, transmission
devices or any combination of the aforementioned system components
are changed.
PERMIT HOLDER
A person to whom the Borough Police have issued an alarm
device permit.
PERSON
An individual, corporation, partnership, incorporated association
or other legal entity.
It shall be unlawful to cause an intentional false alarm. Violators
shall be punishable pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 4905.
Any person who has violated the terms of this chapter, upon conviction thereof before a Magisterial District Judge or the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County, after hearing held, shall be subject to the penalties provided in Chapter
1, General Provisions, Article
I, Enforcement; General Penalty.