[Ord. No. 960, 10/5/2020]
In order to promote and protect the health, safety and welfare
of the residents of Elizabeth Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania,
the Township Board of Commissioners has determined that it is necessary
to amend the Township's Code of Ordinances to provide penalties
for false alarms.
[Ord. No. 960, 10/5/2020]
1. The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement
of this Part:
EMERGENCY SERVICES
The services provided by the Elizabeth Township Police Department,
Fire Departments and/or any emergency agency or provider operating
within Elizabeth Township or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
FALSE ALARM
Any activation of an alarm system by inadvertence, negligence,
intentional or unintentional acts or means, to which emergency services
of the Elizabeth Township Police Department, Fire Departments and/or
other emergency services agencies or providers respond and where it
is determined that the alarm was not the result of a crime in progress,
fire, medical or other emergency necessitating a response by emergency
services.
[Ord. No. 960, 10/5/2020]
It shall be unlawful for the property owner, lessee, or any
person occupying, in control of or otherwise on or in any premises
within Elizabeth Township to make or cause to be made a false alarm,
directly or indirectly, to any emergency services agency or provider
responding to alarms within the Township.
[Ord. No. 960, 10/5/2020]
1. Whether an alarm is a false alarm as defined herein is to be determined
by the Elizabeth Township Police or Fire Departments or other affected
emergency services agency or provider in its sole judgment.
2. Service fees for false alarms shall be assessed by and paid to Elizabeth
Township as follows:
A. A fourth false alarm in any one calendar year shall be subject to
a service fee of $100 to residential homeowners and $200 to commercial
buildings.
B. A fifth false alarm in any one calendar year shall be subject to
a service fee of $100 to residential homeowners and $200 to commercial
buildings.
C. A sixth false alarm in any one calendar year shall be subject to
a service fee of $500 to residential homeowners and commercial buildings.
D. All subsequent false alarms in any one calendar year shall be subject
to a service fee of $800 plus prosecution in accordance with this
Part.
3. These fees may be amended by the Board of Commissioners Council by
resolution.
4. The Elizabeth Township Police Department and the Elizabeth Township
Code Enforcement Department shall be responsible for administering
the terms of this Part.
[Ord. No. 960, 10/5/2020]
1. In the event a violation of this Part occurs, in addition to such
other remedies as may be available under existing law, Elizabeth 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,
fails to comply with any provision of this Part, or assigns or abets
its violation shall, upon conviction thereof, before any Magisterial
District Judge, be sentenced to pay a fine no less than $300 and not
more than $500, together with the costs of prosecution and service
fees as set forth above. In default of the payment of said fine, costs
and service fees, he or she shall be committed to the county jail
for a period not exceeding 30 days.