[Ord. 114, 1/21/1991, § 301]
It is the intent of this Part to reduce the false alarms and false notifications to the Police Department and the Fire Company that emergencies exist, or situations exist wherein police or fire assistance or investigation is required, and they are detrimental to the welfare and safety of the citizens of Wrightstown Township and the members of the Police Department and the Fire Company, and that the receipt of said false alarms and notification detracts from the efficiency of the departments in discharging their responsibilities to the citizens of Wrightstown Township. It is hereby declared to be the policy to safeguard and protect the citizens, the members of the Police Department, and the members of all fire companies present and future, from such hazards or risks and to provide a means of registration of emergency alarms for the efficient notification of the owner when an alarm is activated.
[Ord. 114, 1/21/1991, § 301]
1. 
Word Usages. Words in the singular number include the plural and words in the plural number include the singular; the present tense includes the future; the word "building" shall be deemed to include the wood "structure." An individual shall be deemed to include any person, group, group of persons, and/or partnership or corporation.
2. 
Definitions. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words shall for the purposes of this Part have the meanings herein stated:
ACCIDENTAL ALARM
The transmission of any alarm caused by a malfunction of the alarm system, an alarm caused by a system improperly protected from power surges or disruptions, an alarm caused by the actions of the occupants or an alarm caused for no apparent reason.
AUDIBLE ALARM
Any device, bell, horn, or siren which is attached to the interior or exterior of a building and emits a warning signal audible outside the building and is designed to attract attention when activated by a criminal act, fire, or other emergency requiring police or firemen to respond.
AUTOMATIC PROTECTION DEVICE
An electrically operated instrument composed of sensory apparatus and related hardware which automatically transmits a pre-recorded voice alarm over regular telephone lines by direct or indirect connection to the Police Department or Fire Company, upon receipt of a stimulus from a sensory apparatus that has detected a physical force or condition inherently characteristic of afire or intrusion.
FIRE COMPANY
The Lingohocken Fire Company or any other Fire Company which may operate in Wrightstown Township in the future.
FIRE MARSHAL
The Fire Marshal of Wrightstown Township.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Wrightstown Township Police Department or other police department acting on behalf of the Wrightstown Township Police Department or under the authority of the Wrightstown Board of Supervisors.
[Ord. 114, 1/21/1991, § 301]
The Police Department and the Fire Marshal shall have the power and the duty to enforce the provisions of the Part insofar as they related to any false alarm or request for service or assistance.
[Ord. 114, 1/21/1991, § 301]
1. 
It shall be unlawful for any individual, firm, or corporation to install or cause to be installed any audible, monitored, or automatically phone dialed fire or burglar alarm systems unless a permit has been obtained from the Code Enforcement Officer providing a record of the name, physical street address, mailing address, and phone number as well as the name, address, and phone number of an individual with at least a knowledge and the means to reset the alarm.
2. 
All fire alarm systems, with the exception of single and two family residences must be monitored by an alarm company register with the code enforcement officer of Wrightstown Township.
[Ord. 114, 1/21/1991, § 301]
1. 
All companies providing maintenance and/or alarm monitoring services must register with the Code Enforcement Officer and provide a list of subscribers on a form approved by the Township by January 30 of each year and pay an annual registration fee set by resolution by the Board of Supervisors of the Township.
2. 
All alarm companies must maintain an accurate listing of all alarms systems including the name, street address (not post office box), phone number, and day and night contact.
[Ord. 114, 1/21/1991, § 301]
1. 
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons including, but not limited to, an owner or lessee of any building in which a fire, holdup, or burglar alarm has been installed:
A. 
To cause, suffer, allow, or permit the accidental or purposeful transmission of a false alarm signal from any public or private place to the Police Department or Fire Company or to any other place off the premises of the place from which the alarm signal originates without first notifying both the alarm company and the Bucks County Department of Communications.
B. 
To cause, suffer, allow, or permit to be made any report or request for police or fire service or assistance by any means of communication wherein the situation, condition, incident, or emergency did not and does not exist.
[Ord. 114, 1/21/1991, § 301; Ord. 266, 9/17/2007; Ord. No. 329, 7/17/2023]
1. 
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 in the amount listed in the Township's Fee Schedule[1] plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days. Each day that a violation of this Part continues or each section of this Part which shall be found to have been violated shall constitute a separate offense.
[1]
Editor's Note: Said Fee Schedule is on file in Township offices.
2. 
After the latter of the installation of any system or adoption of this Part, any person, firm, or corporation will be permitted two accidental alarms after which time a notice of violation will be sent by either the Fire Marshal or the Police Department having jurisdiction.
3. 
On the third accidental alarm, a fine in the amount set forth in the Township's Fee Schedule will be assessed. Additional fines as set forth in the Township's Fee Schedule will be assessed for the fourth, fifth, and sixth alarms after which time the Police Department or Fire Marshal can certify the system to be out of service until repaired.
4. 
Alarm systems which have been placed out of service may be put "back in service" provided proof of repair has been provided to the Fire Marshal and a fee in an amount as established from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors paid to the Township. This registration will clear all past violations.
5. 
Any alarm company who monitors fire and/or burglar alarm systems with the Township who fails to maintain up to date information including subscriber name, street address (no post office boxes), physical location, a description of the residence (or building), day and night contacts, day and night phone numbers, or who fails to provide such information to the fire or police dispatchers when reporting an alarm, will be sentenced to pay a fine in the amount set forth in the Township's Fee Schedule plus costs and, in default of payment of said fines and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days. Each day that a violation of this Part continues or each section of this Part which shall be found to have been violated shall constitute a separate offense.