[Ord. 395, 4/2/2001, § 1]
The purpose of this Part is to provide standards and regulations
for various types of intrusion, burglar, fire and other emergency
alarm device which require response thereto by the Police Department,
Fire Department or other Township agencies.
[Ord. 395, 4/2/2001, § 2]
The provisions of this Part shall apply to any person who operates,
maintains or owns any alarm device, dial alarm or local alarm designed
to summon the police, fire department or other agencies to any location
in response to any type of alarm signal.
[Ord. 395, 4/2/2001, § 3]
ALARM OWNER
Any person or persons under whose direction and control the
alarm system is installed, operated or maintained and for whom the
alarm system is intended to protect.
ALARM SYSTEM
Any type of alarm device, dial alarm or local alarm or combination
of same designed to automatically activate in cases of fire, smoke,
intrusion, flood or other event.
CENTRAL ALARM STATION
The receiving point of any type of alarm signal, transmitted
electronically or otherwise, wherein action is initiated to summon
police, fire or other emergency Township services.
CENTRAL STATION ALARM
Any alarm system or device which, when activated, causes
a signal of any type to be transmitted to a central alarm station.
Combinations of local alarms and central station alarms shall be considered
central station alarms.
FALSE ALARM
Any alarm actuated by inadvertence, negligence or unintentional
act of someone or something other than the actual case of intrusion,
fire, smoke or other event. False alarm shall also include alarms
caused by malfunction of the alarm system. False alarms shall not
include alarms actuated and caused by events outside of the control
of the alarm owner including, but not limited to, wind, electrical
storms, lightning, fire, flood or other acts of nature; damage to
or maintenance of electrical or telephone poles or transmission lines
outside of the owner's premises. False alarms shall also not
include alarms actuated during installation, repair or modification
of the alarm system provided that notice of such work has been made
in a timely manner to the responding alarm station or agency. False
alarms shall also not include alarms actuated by vehicles, birds or
animals outside the protected premises.
PERSON
Includes any natural person, partnership, corporation or
association.
[Ord. 395, 4/2/2001, § 4]
Any alarm system containing audible or visual signals shall
be designed and installed so that such signal(s) will automatically
deactivate after a continuous period of 20 minutes or less, thereby
terminating such signals. Audible and visual signals shall not automatically
reactivate until manually reset or repaired. Failure to comply with
this section shall constitute authorization to the Chief of Police,
or his designee, to take such steps as may be necessary to terminate
the audible or visual signal if unable to do so by way of the emergency
notification list, in order to mitigate a public nuisance.
[Ord. 395, 4/2/2001, § 5; as amended by Ord. 399,
11/5/2001; and by Ord. 454, 9/2/2008]
1. In the case of a false alarm, the chief of the public agency responding
or his designee shall cause an investigation to be made and keep a
record of said false alarms on file. For such false alarms, the Board
of Township Commissioners prescribes the following provisions:
A. All administrative fees established under this Part shall be payable
to West Lebanon Township within 15 days of the date of invoice. Administrative
fees shall be in addition to any fines imposed by this Part.
B. For the second false alarm an administrative fee in an amount as
established from time to time by resolution of the Board of Commissioners
shall be imposed.
C. For the third and subsequent false alarm an administrative fee in
an amount as established from time to time by resolution of the Board
of Commissioners shall be imposed.
D. All administrative fees established under this Part shall be payable
to West Lebanon Township within 15 days of the date of invoice. Administrative
fees shall be in addition to any fines imposed by this Part.
[Ord. 395, 4/2/2001, § 6; as amended by Ord. 454,
9/2/2008]
Notice as required by this Part shall be given by the chief
of the public agency responding, or his designee, to the person occupying
the premises upon which the alarm system is located by mailing a copy
of the notice, and a monthly activity report hereinafter attached
and marked as "Exhibit A," to such person at the address where the alarm system is
located within not less than 10 days following the end of each calendar
month. A notice may also be given by personal service of the notice
by handing a copy of the same to the occupant of the premises upon
which the alarm system is located or to an adult resident thereof
or an employee located thereon. If notice is made by personal service,
the Chief of Police, or his designee, shall file a proof of service,
which shall be under oath and which shall designate the person and
title upon whom service was made.
[Ord. 395, 4/2/2001, § 7; as amended by Ord. 454,
9/2/2008]
It shall be the responsibility of the alarm owner to comply
with the established rules of the central alarm station regarding
the emergency notification list of persons to be notified in the event
of alarm activation. In the case of central station alarms, such list
shall be furnished to the Township Chief of Police and shall contain
the names of at least three persons with addresses and telephone numbers.
In all cases, changes in the notification list shall be made within
five days of the change. Persons on the notification list shall be
informed of their position on the list and have sufficient knowledge
and authority to terminate the alarm activation if requested. Failure
to comply with the requirements of this section may result in the
imposition of an administrative fee in an amount as established from
time to time by resolution of the Board of Commissioners.
[Ord. 395, 4/2/2001, § 8]
The information furnished and secured pursuant to this Part
shall be confidential in character and shall not be subject to public
inspection, and all records shall be so maintained that the contents
thereof shall not be divulged to anyone except to those persons charged
with the administration of this Part.
[Ord. 395, 4/2/2001, § 10; as amended by Ord. 454,
9/2/2008]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision
of this Part, upon conviction thereof, 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 30
days. Each day that a violation of this Part continues shall constitute
a separate offense.
[Ord. 395, 4/2/2001, § 11]
This Part shall not prevent the Township from taking other legal
action to prevent the abuse of alarm systems by the owner.