[Ord. 61, 10/1/1990, § 1]
Unless the context specifically and clearly indicates otherwise,
the following words and phrases, as used in this Part, shall have
the meanings indicated:
An audible or visible signal emitted, transmitted or otherwise
produced by an alarm device indicating that a crime, fire or other
emergency situation warranting immediate action by the police department
or fire company has occurred or is in the process of occurring. This
definition shall include, but shall not be limited to, telephone warning
messages transmitted by alarm devices to the dispatcher.
An electrical, electronic or mechanical device designed to
automatically (a) emit, transmit or otherwise produce an alarm by
wire, telephone, radio, or other means to a person who is instructed
to notify the dispatcher, the police department and/or the fire company
of the alarm, and/or (b) activate a bell, light or other sound or
light producing device to be heard or seen outside a building intended
to alert the police department, the fire company or others to the
existence of a crime, fire or other emergency situation warranting
immediate action by the police department or the fire company.
The Pottstown Police Dispatch Center and the Chester County
Emergency Services Center, or either of them.
An alarm to which the police department or the fire company,
or both, responds resulting from the activation of an alarm device
when a crime, fire or other emergency situation warranting immediate
action by the police department and/or the fire company has not in
fact occurred.
The Ridge Fire Company and all members thereof, including,
without limitation, rescue personnel.
An individual, corporation, partnership, incorporated or
unincorporated association, or other similar entity.
The Police Department of the Township and all members thereof.
East Coventry Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, and
its duly elected and authorized officials, officers, agents, servants
and employees.
[Ord. 61, 10/1/1990, § 1; as amended by Ord. 177,
4/11/2011, § 1]
1.
For the purpose of defraying a portion of the cost to the Township,
the police department and/or fire company in responding to false alarms,
any person, who owns or occupies any property within the Township
from which a false alarm emanates for any reason, shall pay to the
Township a charge for each false alarm in accordance with a schedule
of charges adopted by Resolution of the Board of Supervisors from
time to time.
2.
When a false alarm occurs, the Township shall, within 30 days from the date on which the false alarm occurs, notify the person who owns or occupies the property from which the false alarm emanated that the false alarm occurred and that a false alarm charge, and the amount thereof, in accordance with § 10-302, Subsection 1, is due. Such notice shall be in writing and mailed to the property owner or occupant at the last known address thereof by regular first-class mail, postage prepaid. Failure of the Township to mail the notice of assessment of the false alarm charge within 30 days from the date on which the false alarm occurred shall preclude the Township from assessing a false alarm charge for that particular false alarm.
4.
The failure of a person to pay, in full and on or before the due date, a false alarm charge assessed against such person under and in accordance with this section, shall subject such person to the penalties under § 10-303 of this Part.
5.
Any false alarm charge assessed and collected by the Township under
and in accordance with this section, upon a response by the police
department to a false alarm, shall be paid into the general fund of
the Township. Any false alarm charge assessed and collected by the
Township under and in accordance with this section, upon a response
by the fire company to a false alarm, shall be paid to the fire company
less any costs, expenses, and fees incurred by the Township in assessing
and collecting the fire alarm charge.
[Ord. 61, 10/1/1990, § 1]
1.
Any person who fails to pay a false alarm charge assessed against such person in the full amount and on or before the due date, as provided under and by § 10-302 of this Part, shall be in violation of this Part and, upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced to pay a fine or penalty of not more than $1,000 collectible before any District Justice as like fines or penalties are now by law collectible, and on default of the payment of the fine or penalty imposed and costs, to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 30 days.
2.
The fine or penalty and imprisonment imposed on a person under § 10-303, Subsection 1, shall not be in lieu of but shall be in addition to the false alarm charges assessed against such person under this Part, and shall not be exclusive but shall be in addition to such other rights and remedies which the Township now has or may hereafter have to enforce this Part and the assessment and collection of false alarm charges provided hereunder.
