False alarms cost the Borough of Pine Beach and its citizens
thousands of dollars per year and can take police officers away from
actual emergencies. To prevent unnecessary emergency response to false
alarms, the within Article is being adopted to reduce the number of
false alarms and encourage alarm users to maintain the mechanical
reliability of and to properly use their alarm equipment.
The following definitions are hereby established:
A. FALSE ALARM — The activation of an alarm system through mechanical
or electronic failure, malfunction, improper installation, or the
negligence of the alarm user, his/her employees or agents, and signals
activated to summon law enforcement personnel, unless law enforcement
response was cancelled by the alarm user or his/her agent before law
enforcement personnel arrive at the alarm location. An alarm is false
within the meaning of this article when, upon inspection by the Borough
of Pine Beach Police Department, evidence indicates that no unauthorized
entry, robbery, or other such crime was committed or attempted in
or on the premises, which would have activated a properly functioning
alarm system. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a false alarm shall not
include an alarm which can reasonably be determined to have been caused
or activated by unusually violent conditions of nature nor does it
include other extraordinary circumstances not reasonably subject to
control by the alarm user.
B. BURGLAR OR FIRE ALARM SYSTEM — A mechanical or electrical system
to detect a breach of the system in a home or business or to alert
of a fire. To be considered a burglar or fire alarm system it must
be connected to the Police Department through a monitoring center
contracted by the owner of the system.
C. CANCELLATION OF FALSE ALARM — Someone desiring to cancel a
false alarm may do so only through their monitoring center for a breach
of their burglar alarm system prior to an officer arriving at the
alarm site. The owner shall not dial "911" or contact the Borough
of Pine Beach Police Department in order to cancel a false alarm.
The following fees are established in connection with a false
alarm as herein defined and within a calendar year period:
A. First and second false alarm: will not be billed and no summons will
issue.
B. Third through fifth false alarms: $100 per offense.
C. Sixth and seventh false alarm: $150 per offense.
D. Eighth and ninth false alarm: $200 per offense.
E. Tenth and subsequent false alarms: $250 per offense.
The violation of any provision of this article shall be punishable
by a fine of not more than $250 for each offense. Each and every day
a violation of this article shall exist shall constitute a separate
violation.