[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.
ACCIDENTAL ALARM
AUDIBLE ALARM
AUTOMATIC PROTECTION DEVICE
FIRE COMPANY
FIRE MARSHAL
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Definitions. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words
shall for the purposes of this Part have the meanings herein stated:
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.
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.
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.
The Lingohocken Fire Company or any other Fire Company which
may operate in Wrightstown Township in the future.
The Fire Marshal of Wrightstown Township.
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]
It shall be unlawful for any individual, firm, or corporation
to permit the operation of a malfunctioning system.
[Ord. 114, 1/21/1991, § 301; as amended by Ord.
266, 9/17/2007]
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 of not less than $35 nor more than
$1,000 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.
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 of $35 will be assessed. Additional
fines of $35 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
within 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 of not less than $35 nor more than $1,000
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.
