The purpose of this chapter is to provide regulations
for various types of burglar and fire emergency alarm devices, whether
direct line, radio, local, telephone dialer or any other means so
as to elicit a response by the Saddle Brook Police or Fire Department
or other municipal agency.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to
any person who installs, connects, operates, maintains, services or
owns any alarm equipment, device or system, including dial and local
alarms, designed to summon the Police Department or, through the Police
Department, the Fire Department or other municipal agency to any location
within the Township of Saddle Brook, in response to any type of signal,
alarm or preprogrammed or prerecorded message.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
FALSE ALARM
Any alarm or signal of an alarm system actuated by inadvertence,
negligence or intentional or unintentional act of a person other than
an intruder, and including as well alarms caused by mechanical failure,
malfunctioning or improper installation of the alarm system and related
equipment, but not including alarms created by mechanical failure,
malfunctioning or improper installation of the alarm console installed
within Saddle Brook Police Headquarters or telephone lines over which
the alarm user or alarm company has no control. When a fire alarm
is received and an investigation of that alarm indicates that there
is no evidence of smoke or fire, such evidence shall create a rebuttable
presumption of a false alarm.
LOCAL ALARM
Any kind of equipment, device or system which, when activated,
produces a signal or alarm not connected to the police panel alarm
system, such as a store, burglar or intrusion alarm actuating a bell,
horn or other sounding device, for the purpose of summoning the Police
or Fire Department or other municipal agency to the location thereof
and in response thereto.
PERSON
Includes any natural person, partnership or corporation or
association.
[Amended 11-13-1997 by Ord. No. 1148]
The annual installer's license shall be issued
by the Chief of Police, permitting a person to engage in, manage,
conduct or carry on the business of installing, leasing, connecting,
maintaining, servicing, repairing, arranging, adjusting, replacing,
moving and programming, in Saddle Brook, any alarm equipment or device
designed to summon the Police Department or, through it, the Fire
Department or any other municipal agency.
The license fee for the license issued under
this chapter shall not be required for any alarms that are provided
for municipal buildings.
Any permit issued under the provisions of this
chapter may be suspended, denied or revoked by the Chief of Police
for any violation of or failure to comply with the provisions of this
chapter, including the following:
A. The permittee, his agent or employee willfully failed
to and did not comply with a request by a member of the Police Department
to proceed immediately to the location of permittee's alarm activation
and render necessary services.
B. The permittee, his agent or employee knowingly installed
or maintained a faulty alarm device. An inordinate number of false
alarms shall be prima facie evidence that such alarm device is knowingly
a faulty device.
C. The permittee has breached the terms and conditions
of the permit.
D. The installation, equipment, devices, etc., do not
conform to Building Codes or ordinances of this state, county or Township, as determined
by the Township Building Inspectors Fire Prevention Bureau.
No license and/or permit shall be revoked, denied
or suspended without giving the licensee/permittee 30 days' notice,
in writing, of such action and an opportunity to show cause before
the Chief of Police why such action should not be taken. Any person
aggrieved by the action or determination of the Chief of Police in
the denial, suspension or revocation of any license and/or permit
provided for in this chapter may appeal to the Township Council of
Saddle Brook.
The Chief of Police may make, prescribe and
promulgate supplementary rules and regulations for the installation,
connection, licensing, permits, alarm equipment, devices or systems
covered by the terms of this chapter and for the performance, maintenance
and operation of the same as may be reasonably necessary to fulfill
the purpose of this chapter.
[Amended 10-10-1991 by Ord. No. 1035; 11-13-1997 by Ord. No.
1148]
The Police Department of the Township of Saddle
Brook shall have the authority to enforce all aspects of this chapter
as hereto provided.
[Amended 4-1-1991 by Ord. No. 1024; 10-10-1991 by Ord. No.
1035]
A. False alarms involving fire and smoke.
(1) Warnings. For the first four false alarm occurrences
in the same calendar year involving fire or smoke, a warning shall
be issued.
(2) Offenses.
(a)
First offense. A fifth occurrence of a false
alarm involving fire or smoke in the same calendar year shall be considered
a first offense and subject the violator to a penalty of $100.
(b)
All subsequent violations in the same calendar
year involving fire or smoke shall subject the violator to a penalty
of $250.
B. Other false alarms.
(1) Warnings. For the first four false alarm occurrences
in the same calendar year involving other than fire or smoke, a warning
shall be issued.
(2) Offenses.
[Amended 6-2-1994 by Ord. No. 1078]
(a)
First offense. A fifth occurrence of a false
alarm involving other than fire or smoke in the same calendar year
shall be considered a first offense and subject the violator to a
penalty of $50.
(b)
Second offense. A sixth occurrence of a false
alarm involving other than fire or smoke in the same calendar year
shall be considered a second offense and subject the violator to a
penalty of $75.
(c)
Third offense. A seventh occurrence of a false
alarm involving other than fire or smoke in the same calendar year
shall be considered a third offense and subject the violator to a
penalty of $100.
(d)
Fourth offense. An eighth occurrence of a false
alarm involving other than fire or smoke in the same calendar year
shall be considered a fourth offense and subject the violator to a
penalty of $125.
(e)
All subsequent violations in the same calendar
year involving other than fire or smoke shall subject the violator
to a penalty of $125.
C. Penalties shall be payable through the Violations
Bureau.
D. Any person, firm or corporation found guilty in the
Municipal Court of the Township of Saddle Brook for violation of any
terms and/or conditions of this chapter shall be subject to a fine
of not more than $500 or imprisoned for a period not exceeding 90
days, or both.