The purpose of this chapter is to establish regulations concerning the operation and maintenance of certain alarm systems within the Borough of Runnemede and to provide penalties upon conviction for violations of any of the provisions set forth herein.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Runnemede 8-7-2024 by Ord. No. 24-13. Amendments noted where applicable.]
For the purpose of this chapter, certain words and phrases are defined as follows:
Any mechanical, electrical or electronic device which is designed or used for the detection of an unauthorized entry into a building, structure or facility or for alerting others about the existence of any other condition requiring response of police, fire or ambulance personnel and which emits and/or transmits an audible and/or visual signal or message when actuated. "Alarm system" includes but is not limited to direct-dial telephone devices, audible alarms and subscriber alarms.
The Barrington Ambulance Association or any other emergency ambulance service that may be utilized by the Borough of Runnemede.
A device that emits an audible signal from the premises that it is designed to protect.
The Borough of Runnemede.
A device that, when actuated, causes a recorded message to be transmitted via telephone to the police communications center stating that emergency response is necessary.
An alarm signal requiring response of police, fire or ambulance personnel where an emergency situation does not exist.
The Runnemede Fire Department or any other fire company that may be utilized by the Borough of Runnemede.
The Runnemede Police Department.
An alarm system that is terminated by direct connection to the Runnemede Police Department, Camden County Communications Center, or any other emergency service dispatch center that may be utilized by the Borough of Runnemede in accordance with regulations prescribed in separate legislation.
A.
It shall be the responsibility of all persons, entities, firms, corporations or other groups that maintain alarm systems within the Borough to provide current information to the police department, consisting of the names and telephone numbers of responsible persons who may be contacted in case of emergency or who are authorized to provide service to the alarm system; either must be on a twenty-four-hour basis. This information is to be filed with the police when the alarm system is initially placed into service and must be revised immediately whenever changes are necessary.
B.
Audible alarms must be silenced within 30 minutes after a designated responsible person is notified to do so by the police, or the alarm system may be equipped with a timing device that will automatically silence the audible alarm within 30 minutes after it is actuated.
C.
Direct-dial alarms must be equipped with a device that will prevent more than three repeated transmissions of an alarm for the same emergency to the Runnemede Police Department or communications center. Recorded messages must also include the name and telephone number of a responsible person who may be contacted by the police in case of an emergency on a twenty-four-hour basis.
D.
It shall be the responsibility of all persons, entities, firms, corporations or other groups that maintain alarm systems within the Borough to prevent the transmission of false alarms through a program of training and periodic inspection and maintenance of the system.
E.
If any person, entity, firm, corporation or other group is repairing, maintaining or otherwise working on an alarm system and fails to notify the communication center or other appropriate officials before doing so and a false alarm results therefrom, then such person, entity, firm, corporation or other group shall be charged with a false alarm, which false alarm shall count toward the maximum permissible number allowed.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the general alerting alarms that may be used by fire companies, ambulance squads or civil defense agencies to summon response of their members. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to audible alarm systems that are affixed to motor vehicles, or any system such as a smoke or CO2 which falls under the provisions of a separate fire code.
The provisions contained herein shall apply equally to those alarm systems that were placed in service prior to or subsequent to the effective date of this chapter.
The Borough of Runnemede or any of its police, fire or ambulance personnel shall not assume any responsibility whatsoever to any person, entity, firm, corporation or other group with respect to the adequacy, operation or maintenance of any private alarm system. No action taken by any Borough personnel pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall create any liability upon the Borough by reason of any failure of any private alarm system or any failure to respond to any private alarm system.
A.
Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to the penalty as provided in § 1-15, General penalty, of this Code.
B.
Each incident shall be considered a separate offense.
C.
In addition to any penalty that may be ordered by the court, the Chief of Police may authorize the disconnection of subscriber alarms from the communications center after conviction of any of the provisions of this chapter and having given written notice to the subscriber.