It is necessary to prevent unnecessary and costly response by
the New Jersey State Police or fire and/or ambulance personnel to
false alarms by audible alarms and automatic protection devices.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
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 or other emergency, requiring police or emergency
personnel to respond.
AUTOMATIC PROTECTION DEVICE
An electrically operated instrument composed of sensory apparatus
and related hardware which automatically transmits an alarm or prerecorded
voice message upon receipt of a stimulus from a sensory apparatus
that has detected a physical force or condition inherently characteristic
of an intrusion.
FALSE ALARM
Any signal activated by an automatic protection device, an
audible alarm or any other kind of direct or indirect signal which
is not the result of a burglary, robbery, fire or similar emergency.
An alarm that has been activated by an external source that is beyond
the reasonable control of the subscriber shall not be considered false.
PERSON
A natural person, association, corporation, firm, partnership,
trust or other legal entity.
Any person who owns or controls an audible alarm or an automatic
protection device in the Township of Fairfield which causes more than
three false alarms in any given calendar year shall be deemed in violation
of the provisions of this chapter for the fourth false alarm or any
subsequent false alarms in such calendar year and shall be subject
to the following penalties:
A. First offense (four false alarms in the same calendar year): administrative
penalty of $50 to be assessed by the Code Enforcement Officer or other
individual so designated by the Township Committee. Failure to pay
within 30 days of assessment shall be a violation of this chapter
subject to a fine of $100.
B. Second offense (five false alarms in the same calendar year): administrative
penalty of $100 to be assessed by the Code Enforcement Officer or
other individual so designated by the Township Committee. Failure
to pay within 30 days of assessment shall be a violation of this chapter
subject to a fine of $200.
C. Third and subsequent offenses (six or more false alarms in the same
calendar year): administrative penalty of $150 per subsequent offense
to be assessed by the Code Enforcement Officer or other individual
so designated by the Township Committee. Failure to pay within 30
days of assessment shall be a violation of this chapter subject to
not less than $300 and no more than $500 for each offense.
D. Any person assessed an administrative penalty may request a hearing
before the Code Enforcement Officer or other individual so designated
by the Township Committee.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to alarm devices
on property owned by the State of New Jersey, the County of Cumberland,
the Township of Fairfield, the Township of Fairfield Board of Education
or any agency or department thereof.
The law enforcement/fire entity responding to any false alarms
as defined herein shall furnish a report to the Township detailing
same.