[Ord. 8-1998, 10/7/1998, § 54]
This article shall be known as the "Thornbury Township Automatic
Protection Device Ordinance."
[Ord. 8-1998, 10/7/1998, § 55]
The following definitions shall apply to the interpretation
and enforcement of this article:
Any device which emits an audible warning signal outside
the building, whether by wire or other wise, and designed to attract
attention when activated by a criminal act or other emergency requiring
emergency personnel to respond.
Any instrument which automatically transmits any form of
alarm or signal including, but not limited to, a prerecorded voice
alarm from the premises to a similar agency upon receipt of a stimulus
from a sensory apparatus that has detected a physical force or condition
inherently characteristic of intrusion or fire.
Any signal activated by an automatic protection device, any
audible alarm or any other kind of direct or indirect signal given
to the Police or Fire Department to which police or firefighters respond
which is not the result of a burglary, fire, robbery or similar emergency
but erroneously indicates that such an incident has occurred.
To tie telephone or recording equipment into a system to
transmit a message either directly of indirectly by an automatic protection
device.
[Ord. 8-1998, 10/7/1998, § 56]
1.
Audible automatic protection device on location may be installed
by Township residents and businesses and may be keyed to a telephone
or radio which is available to them or to a private agency so long
as they comply with Township regulations.
2.
Audible and visible automatic protection devices on location must
be equipped with a timing device which will disconnect an audible
alarm after a maximum of 30 minutes, but a light alarm (silent) signal
outside the building may continue to flash the alarm for 60 minutes.
Audible alarms without such a device are unlawful in the Township.
3.
An automatic protection device user who installs a battery-powered
(9 volts, 11.2 volts or similar voltage) audible automatic protection
device or an electrically energized audible automatic protection device
whose sole purpose is to notify the occupants of that location of
an emergency situation is exempt if all of the following conditions
exist:
A.
The automatic protection device is not connected to any mechanical
or electrical device that automatically notifies a person or agency
outside that location that the automatic protection device is activated.
B.
The audible alarm does not sound outside the location (no external
speakers).
C.
The internal signal emitted by the audible alarm does not exceed
90 decibels.
D.
The internal alarm does not cause undue annoyance or alarm to occupants
of adjoining premises.
[Ord. 8-1998, 10/7/1998, § 57; as amended by Ord.
2-2005, 7/6/2005]
For the purpose of defraying the costs to the police, fire or emergency personnel of responding to false alarms, the owner or lessee of an automatic protection device shall, as a condition of the installation and operation of such equipment or service, pay the Township a fee as prescribed in the fee schedule for each false alarm activation after the first false alarm in a three-hundred-sixty-five-day period. The sum shall be a civil claim by the Township and does not affect the penalty provisions prescribed by § 10-305, hereof. The Code Enforcement Officer shall send a written notice of said claim and payment shall be due within 30 days thereof.
[Ord. 8-1998, 10/7/1998, § 58; as amended by Ord.
2-2005, 7/6/2005]
1.
Failure of any person to comply with the requirements of written
notice of a violation of any provision hereof within 30 days of receipt
of such notice, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays,
upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding
commenced by the Township, shall pay a judgment of not more than $600
plus all court costs. No judgment shall commence or be imposed, levied
or payable until the date of the determination of the violation by
a District Justice. If the defendant neither pays nor timely appeals
the judgment, the Township may enforce the judgment pursuant to the
applicable rules of civil procedure, at which time, in addition to
any penalties, the violator shall be liable for any attorneys'
fees and costs incurred by the Township. Each day that the violation
continues or each section of this article which shall be found to
have been violated shall constitute a separate violation.
2.
False Alarm Violation. Any person who willfully activates a false
alarm, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a District
Justice 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 cost and, in default of
payment of said fine and cost, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed
90 days. Each day that a violation of this article continues or each
section of this article which shall be found to have been violated
shall constitute a separate offense.
