[Ord. No. 5-2018, 10/12/2018]
This Part shall be known as the "Canton Township Providing for
Penalties for False Fire Alarms Caused by Faulty Fire Detection, Alarm
Equipment or Negligence Ordinance."
[Ord. No. 5-2018, 10/12/2018]
The following words and phrases when used in this Part shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise.
Any signal activated by an automatic protection device, any
audible alarm or any other kind of direct or indirect signal given
to which police, fire department or emergency response agencies respond
which is not the result of an attempted illegal entry, burglary, intrusion,
fire, medical or other similar emergency, excluding weather extremes
and utility interruptions, which activates a protection device.
[Ord. No. 5-2018, 10/12/2018]
It shall be unlawful for the property owner, lessee or any person
occupying or otherwise on any premises within Canton Township to make,
or cause to be made, a false fire or security alarm, directly or indirectly,
to any fire department or emergency response agency responding to
alarms within the Township, when false alarm is caused by faulty detection
or alarm equipment or by the negligence of said property owner, lessee
or person.
[Ord. No. 5-2018, 10/12/2018]
1.
The status of an alarm is to be determined by the police department,
fire company, or other affected emergency response agency, and the
decision shall be final.
2.
Upon notification of a false alarm, a written report shall be made
within 14 days by the owner or lessee to the affected emergency response
agency and shall contain what steps have been taken to eliminate future
false alarms.
3.
Service fees for false alarms shall be assessed by the Township as
follows:
A.
The third false alarm in any one calendar year shall be subject to
a service fee not to exceed $50.
B.
The fourth false alarm in any one calendar year shall be subject
to a service fee not to exceed $100.
C.
The fifth and subsequent false alarms in any one calendar year shall
be subject to a service fee not to exceed $200.
[Ord. No. 5-2018, 10/12/2018]
1.
In the event a violation of this Part occurs, in addition to such
other remedies as may be available under existing law, the Township
may institute an action in equity to prevent, restrain, correct, abate
or enjoin such violation.
2.
Any person, whether as principal or agent, who violates this Part
or assists or abets its violation shall, upon conviction thereof before
any Magistrate, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $50 nor
more than $500, together with the costs of prosecution, and in default
of the payment of said fine and costs shall be committed to the Washington
County prison for a period not exceeding 30 days. Each violation shall
constitute a separate offense, for which a summary conviction may
be sought.
