[Ord. 293, 4/13/2005, § 1]
This Part shall be known as and may be cited as the "Automatic
Alarm Notification Device Systems Ordinance."
[Ord. 293, 4/13/2005, § 2]
The Supervisors of Plainfield Township have determined that
the receipt of false alarms and burglar alarms indicating that emergencies
exist is detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the citizens
of Plainfield Township, to the Volunteer Fire Department, and to the
Plainfield Township Police Department, and it is hereby declared to
be the policy of Plainfield Township to safeguard and protect the
residents of said Township and the personnel of the Police and Volunteer
Fire Department from such hazards and risks.
[Ord. 293, 4/13/2005, § 3]
As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
911 Emergency Center.
An electronically operated or mechanically controlled instrument
or system, composed of sensory apparatus, related hardware and circuitry,
which when it detects a stimulus characteristic of fire, heat, smoke,
movement or entry in and to a dwelling, building or structure automatically
transmits an alarm or signal intended to result in an emergency response
by the Fire and/or Police Department.
Any alarm or signal activated by an automatic protection
device which causes the Fire or Police Department to respond, but
which is not the result of a fire or other emergency and which is
caused by a condition within the control of the person in possession
of the premises where the device is located.
The Plainfield Township Volunteer Fire Company.
One which produces a signal only at the premises protected.
The annual permit, required by this Part, for automatic protection
devices.
A natural person, corporation, firm, partnership, association,
organization, any other group acting as a unit or an executor, administrator,
trustee, receiver or other representative appointed according to law,
in any section of this Part which prescribes a penalty, fine or service
charge; whenever the word "person" is used, as to partnerships or
associations, the word shall mean the partners or members thereof,
and as to corporations, shall mean the officers, agents or members
thereof who are responsible for any violation of such section.
The Police Department of Plainfield Township.
[Ord. 293, 4/12/1985, § 4; as amended by A.O.]
1.
A permit shall be obtained by the person in possession of the premises
for the installation of any automatic protection device other than
a local alarm system.
2.
The person in possession of the premises where an automatic protection
device is in use must, each year, apply for and receive a permit to
operate the device.
3.
The person in possession of the premises where an automatic protection
device is operated must apply for the annual permit no later than
January 31 of the year during which the device is to be operated.
4.
The charge for a permit and an annual renewal permit shall be in
the amounts as established, from time to time, by resolution of the
Board of Supervisors. The permit fee shall not be required for those
who, at the time of the enactment of this Part, have previously installed
and are operating any alarm devices covered by this Part.
5.
All permit applications are available from the Township Secretary
and completed applications and payment of the permit fee shall be
made with the Township Secretary.
6.
All applications must set forth the actual location of the subject
property. Registration by P.O. Box Number is not permitted.
[Ord. 293, 4/13/2005, § 5]
1.
Failure to Apply for a Permit. Any person in possession of a premises
where an automatic protection device is operated, who intentionally
does not apply for the annual permit required by this Part, shall
be in violation of this Part and shall be liable for a penalty of
$100 for each such violation. The Fire or Police Chief shall issue
a summons subjecting the person in possession of the premises to the
fine of $100.
2.
Fines for False Alarms. In the event that false alarms are transmitted
to the Fire or Police Department by an automatic protection device,
the Fire or Police Chief shall issue a summons subjecting the person
in possession of the premises where an automatic protection device
is in use to the following fines:
|
Number of False Alarms Per 12-month period
(calendar year or any part thereof)
|
Fine
| |
|---|---|---|
|
1st False Alarm
|
No fine — warning issued
| |
|
2nd False Alarm
|
No fine — warning issued
| |
|
3rd False Alarm
|
No fine — warning issued
| |
|
4th False Alarm
|
$100
| |
|
For each additional false alarm, add
|
$200
|
|
All fines and costs, if any, as imposed and collected shall
be recorded by the Township Secretary.
|
[Ord. 293, 4/13/2005, § 6]
When the Fire or Police Department responds to an alarm transmitted
by an automatic protection device, which alarm indicates a fire or
other emergency in a building or premises where no one is available
to provide access, the Departments are hereby authorized to enter
said building or premises by any means reasonably necessary to conduct
an investigation as to the cause of the alarm.
[Ord. 293, 4/13/2005, § 7]
1.
The sensory mechanism of an automatic protection device shall be
equipped and adjusted so as to suppress false indications a fire and
entry so that the device will not be activated by impulses due to
normal pressure changes in water pipes, variations in voltage due
to electrical storms and power failure or any other forces not related
to actual fire conditions or unlawful entry.
2.
False alarms, transmitted from automatic protection devices, are
unlawful.
[Ord. 293, 4/13/2005, § 8]
The violations and penalties set forth in Part 5 above shall
not apply where the owner proves to the satisfaction of the Fire or
Police Chief that the false alarm was a direct result of a power failure
or power outage beyond the control of the owner of the premises.
[Ord. 293, 4/13/2005, § 9]
1.
No person shall conduct any test or demonstration of any automatic
protection device without first notifying their alarm company and
the 911 Emergency Center.
2.
Any test or demonstration of any automatic protection device resulting
in a false alarm due to the failure of the person conducting such
test or demonstration to notify and obtain permission from the alarm
company and 911 Emergency Center shall be subject to a service charge
of $200 for each infraction which will be assessed against the person
responsible for the test or demonstration.
