[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Lansford 4-2-1991 (Ch. 10, Part 2, of the 1992 Code of Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
ALARM SYSTEM
Any device designed or used for detection of smoke, fire, medical emergency, unlawful entry into the building or facility, or for alerting persons in the attempt or commission of a crime which is directly connected to an audible alarm or the transmission of a related signal or message which is used to evoke an emergency response to any address or separate component of any system.
AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE DIALER
A. 
Any device which can be programmed to automatically dial a telephone number and, upon having that number answered, deliver a pre-recorded message or other signal, which conveys to the answering party information about some event the automatic telephone dialer is designed to monitor, such as fire, burglary, the proper operation of machinery, equipment, or medical emergency.
B. 
In operation, the automatic telephone dialer would sense the presence of smoke or fire, unlawful entry, the improper operation of equipment or medical emergency and automatically dial a pre-programmed number and report to the party answering exactly what was taking place.
NUISANCE ALARM
The activation of any alarm system or automatic telephone dialer alarm due to other than the said purpose for which the alarm system is designed. Any activation of any alarm system or automatic telephone dialer alarm that is caused by violent natural catastrophic conditions, including electrical storms or power outages or conditions beyond the control of the permit holder, will not constitute a nuisance alarm.
PERMIT HOLDER
A person to whom the Police Department or Borough Secretary has issued an alarm device permit.
PERSON
An individual, corporation, partnership, incorporated association, or similar entity.
[Amended 1-7-1992 by Ord. No. 92-1]
A. 
Every property owner wishing to install an alarm system or automatic telephone dialer alarm on the premises they own situated in the Borough shall file with the Borough Police Department a written application stating:
(1) 
The name, address and telephone number of the property owner/applicant.
(2) 
A description of the property where the proposed alarm system or automatic telephone dialer alarm shall be installed.
(3) 
The location and street address of the property.
(4) 
A description of the type of alarm system or automatic telephone dialer alarm to be used, including the name and model number of the manufacturer.
(5) 
The name of the person who will install the system at the location.
(6) 
The name, address and phone number of at least three people to be contacted in the event of an alarm activation.
B. 
In the case of more than one building site in which the alarm system shall be installed, the applicant must provide the Borough Police Department/Borough Secretary with information concerning how the alarm system for each building shall be distinguishable from the other alarms in the said buildings. In the event that any of the above information changes, the applicant must within five days notify the Police Department (or Borough Secretary) of such changes. The property owner or his designee, upon request of any official, Police Department, fire department personnel, or medical personnel shall be required to be present at the alarm location within a reasonable length of time after being advised that the emergency department has received an alarm activation.
C. 
Alarm permits shall not be transferable from one individual to another, or from one location to another, without the express written permission of the Police Department or Borough Secretary. In the event that the building/property in which an alarm system is installed is to be transferred to another person, it shall be the responsibility of the permit holder to notify the Borough Police Department/Borough Secretary of such changes within five days.
D. 
Any person who obtains title to premises in which an alarm system has been installed and permit issued shall notify the Police Department or Borough Secretary within five days of such action to reapply for a permit and to update information.
E. 
Every person applying for a alarm permit will be charged a one-time fee as established from time to time by resolution of Borough Council to obtain an alarm permit prior to the installation of the new alarm system on their premises.
F. 
Any person who presently owns or obtains title to premises in which an alarm system has already been installed shall pay the one-time fee as established from time to time by resolution of Borough Council to register information concerning the alarm system.
G. 
All fees to be made payable to the Police Department or Borough Secretary.
H. 
In the event that the permit holder receives written notice from the Police Department or Borough Secretary that three nuisance alarms have occurred on the premises within 30 days, the alarm permit shall be suspended. Suspension of the permit will be lifted when the permit holder gives proof that the alarm system has been properly repaired so that the cause of the previous nuisance alarms has been eliminated.
[Amended 1-7-1992 by Ord. No. 92-1]
A. 
Any person who, after receiving notice that an emergency department has responded to three nuisance alarms, as defined in this chapter, within 30 days, and that their permit has been suspended, upon conviction by a Magisterial District Judge, shall pay a fine of $100 per nuisance alarm thereafter together with costs of prosecution.
B. 
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this chapter shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, plus court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the Borough in the enforcement proceedings. Upon judgment against any person by summary conviction, or by proceedings by summons on default of the payment of the fine or penalty imposed and the costs, the defendant may be sentenced and committed to the Borough correctional facility for a period not exceeding 10 days or to the county correctional facility for a period not exceeding 30 days. Each day that such violation exists shall constitute a separate offense, and each section of this chapter that is violated shall also constitute a separate offense. In addition to or in lieu of enforcement under this section, the Borough may enforce this chapter in equity in the Court of Common Pleas of Carbon County.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
A. 
All automatic telephone dialers installed will be required to dial directly to the Carbon County Telecommunications Center.
B. 
The recorded content of the automatic telephone dialers shall be "This is an emergency — Please stand by." This phrase to be repeated three times followed by "This is a recorded message reporting the fire/smoke/burglar/medical alarm system has been activated at (complete address)."
C. 
No more than one call shall be made to the Carbon County Telecommunications Center as a result of a single activation of the automatic telephone dialer alarm system. The message portion of the automatic telephone dialer may be repeated three times after which the automatic telephone dialer will disconnect.
D. 
The sensory mechanism used in connection with any alarm system must be adjusted to suppress false or nuisance alarms. Also the alarm systems must be adjusted as not to be activated by impulses due to fleeting pressure changes in water pipes, short flashes of light, the rattling or vibrating of doors and windows, vibrations to the premises caused by the passing of vehicles or any other forces not related to alarms.
E. 
All components comprising such devices must be maintained by the permit holder in good repair to assure maximum reliability of operation.
F. 
All permit holders and their contact people shall be aware of operation of all alarm systems that are installed for disconnection or resetting.
G. 
All alarm systems other than dialer-alarms will utilize dedicated telephone lines issued by the local telephone company or any long distance carrier. The fees required for such dedicated telephone lines is the sole responsibility of the permit holder. The type of alarm signal from the alarm system is up to the discretion of the Carbon County Telecommunications Center. The Carbon County Telecommunications Center must be contacted to make arrangements for the connection of the alarm system into the Carbon County Telecommunications Center.
H. 
The permit holder shall be solely responsible for the payment of fees set by and payable to the Carbon County Telecommunications Center for the privilege of having the permit holder's automatic telephone dialer or alarm system connected directly with the Carbon County Telecommunications Center.