[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Richland 8-31-1998 by Ord. No. 264. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ALARM SYSTEM
Any device designed for the detection of an unauthorized entry of the premises or unlawful acts, and when activated gives a signal, either visual or audible, or both, or transmits or causes to be transmitted a signal.
CALENDAR YEAR
January 1 though December 31.
CHARGE
An amount assessed a subscriber protected by an alarm system for a false alarm only.
FALSE ALARM
An alert by an alarm system which, upon investigation, discloses that no burglary, attempted burglary, breaking and entering, robbery or other acts for which it is designed to initiate police investigation or action has occurred. It shall not include alerts caused by power outages, weather conditions or when the alarm is canceled immediately after being activated by a person responsible timely calling the 911 Center and giving proper identification to cancel the police response.
SUBSCRIBER
An owner or lessee of a premises equipped with an alarm system.
Whenever a false alarm is received for a premises served by an alarm system, the subscriber shall be charged an amount in accordance with the following schedule:
Charge for False Alarm Received During a Calendar Year
False Alarms
Charge
Less than 4
No charge
4 to 10
$25
11 or more
$50
The failure of a subscriber to pay a false alarm charge within 30 days after receipt of a notice to do so shall result in a filing of a citation before the issuing authority to institute a summary criminal proceeding.
Any person, firm or corporation having an alarm system who violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought before a District Justice 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 costs of prosecution. In default of payment thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days.
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Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).