This Part shall be known as the "Upper Makefield False Alarm
Ordinance."
The purpose of this Part is to regulate and control burglar,
panic, holdup, fire and other alarm businesses, systems and users.
The health, public safety and welfare of the Township of Upper Makefield
are placed in jeopardy due to the high number of false alarms that
require both manpower and emergency equipment to be unnecessarily
utilized. Thus, a need exists to enact reasonable rules and regulations
to control and limit the occurrence of false alarms.
[Amended 1-17-2023 by Ord. No. 329]
A. Intentional false alarms. No person shall create an intentional false
alarm.
B. Accidental false alarms. Any subscriber/user who has failed to register their alarm in accordance with §
13-104 and who causes an accidental false alarm for any reason shall pay to the Township a charge for each and every false alarm in accordance §
13-109 of this Part.
C. A false alarm charge shall be due and payable at the office of the
Police Department 30 days from the date of the accidental false alarm.
D. Failure of a person to pay a false alarm charge on or before the date due shall constitute a violation of this Part and subject said person to the penalties set forth in §
13-112 of this Part.
The registration of an alarm system shall not constitute acceptance
by the Township of any liability to maintain any equipment, to answer
alarms, nor otherwise render the Township liable to any person for
any loss or damage relating to the alarm system or procedure.
Administration and enforcement of this Part shall be the function
of the Township and shall include the following:
A. Authority to order the disconnection 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 Township as a result of false alarms.
B. Authority, at reasonable time and upon written notice, to enter upon
any premises within the Township to inspect the installation and operation
of an alarm device.
[Amended 1-17-2023 by Ord. No. 329]
Each subscriber/user who has registered with the Chief of Police as provided in §
13-104 of this Part shall not be subjected to any false or accidental activation of alarms where police or firefighters respond throughout the calendar year; however:
A. For each subscriber/user who has not registered by March 31 of each
year will be subjected to a fine $50 for each accidental false alarm
activation until the registration fee of $100 is received by the Chief
of Police.
B. Charges for false alarms as set forth in the paragraphs may be revised
from time to time by separate resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
All users and subscribers shall pay an annual registration fee
as established from time to time by separate resolution of the Board
of Supervisors.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision
of this Part, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before
a Magisterial District Judge in the manner provided for the enforcement
of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure,
shall 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 90 days.