[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township
of Monroe 5-19-1976 by Ord. No. O-6-76 (appeared as Ch. 4 of the 1967
Code); amended in its entirety 10-13-2009 by Ord. No. O:32-2009. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish regulations concerning
the operation and maintenance of alarm systems within the Township
of Monroe and to provide penalties upon conviction for violation of
any of the provisions set forth herein.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any mechanical, electrical, electronic or wireless device
which is designed or used for the detection of an unauthorized entry
into a building, structure or facility, or for alerting about the
commission of an unlawful act within 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 systems include, but are not limited to, direct-dial
telephone devices, audible alarms, subscriber alarms and wireless
devices.
[Amended 4-27-2015 by Ord. No. O:19-2015]
A device that emits an audible signal from the premises that
it is designated to protect.
An electronic or mechanical device designed to cut off the
audible sounding device on the premises after 30 minutes.
A device which, when actuated, causes a recorded message
to be transmitted, via telephone, to the Monroe Township Police Department
and/or Gloucester County Communications Center, stating that emergency
response is necessary.
An alarm signal necessitating response by the Monroe Township
Division of Police or Fire Department where an emergency situation
does not exist. An alarm which has been activated by an external source
that is beyond the reasonable control of the subscriber shall not
be considered a false alarm.
Any individual licensed by the State of New Jersey on behalf
of the Township of Monroe and/or either duly elected Fire Chief on
behalf of the Williamstown Fire Department and Cecil Fire Department.
[Added 4-27-2015 by Ord.
No. O:19-2015]
Any natural person, firm, partnership, corporation or association.
The Monroe Township Division of Police.
An alarm system that is terminated by direct communication
to the Monroe Township Police Department and/or the Gloucester County
Communications Center.
The Township of Monroe.
A.Â
It
shall be the responsibility of all persons that install, connect,
operate or maintain an alarm system to first register such alarm system
as hereinafter provided.
B.Â
Any
person having installed, connected, operated or maintained an alarm
system prior to the effective date of this chapter shall be bound
by the provisions hereof.
A.Â
Alarm
system registration shall be made upon initial installation on an
application form provided by the Township Clerk of the Township of
Monroe. Said application form shall require:
(1)Â
Name, address and telephone number of the registrant.
(2)Â
Lot, block and geographic location.
(3)Â
The address of the protected premises wherein the alarm is located.
(4)Â
The names, addresses and telephone numbers of at least two persons
other than the registrant who may be contacted in the event of alarm.
(5)Â
The service telephone number of the dialer alarm company which installed
the unit.
(6)Â
Audible alarm cutoff time.
(7)Â
Such other information as may be required by the Township of Monroe.
[Amended 4-27-2015 by Ord. No. O:19-2015]
It shall be the responsibility of all persons that own, operate
and/or maintain alarm systems within the Township of Monroe to provide
current information to the office of the Clerk, 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. The
Monroe Township Clerk will forward this information to the Monroe
Township Police Department, Williamstown Fire Department and Cecil
Fire Department.
All audible alarm systems must be silenced within 30 minutes
after a designated responsible person is notified to do so by the
Police and/or Fire Department. The alarm system shall be equipped
with a timing device that will automatically silence the audible alarm
within 30 minutes after it is actuated.
It shall be the responsibility of all persons that maintain
alarm systems within the Township of Monroe to prevent the transmission
of false alarms through a program of training and periodic inspection
and maintenance of the system.
A.Â
The registrant shall maintain his equipment in good condition and
repair so as to prevent false alarms. For the purposes of this section,
false alarms activated by an act of God or other circumstances beyond
the control of the registrant shall not be evidence of failure to
properly maintain equipment.
C.Â
False alarms in excess of these standards shall be considered to
be in violation of this chapter.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the general
alerting alarms that may be utilized by fire companies, ambulance
squads or civil defense agencies to summon response of their members.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to alarm systems that
are affixed to motor vehicles.
[Added 4-27-2015 by Ord.
No. O:19-2015[1]]
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the Monroe
Township Police Department and Monroe Township Fire Officials and
any duly elected Fire Chiefs and/or one designee on behalf of the
Williamstown Fire Department and Cecil Fire Department.
A.Â
Any owner, resident or occupant, including but not limited to a residence,
home, business, apartment, mobile home or the like, wherein the alarm
system is connected, placed or maintained, who has not registered
such system shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not less
than $250 nor more than $500.
B.Â
Any person, entity, firm or corporation that is found guilty of violating
any other section of this chapter shall be subject to the following
penalties:
[Amended 7-27-2010 by Ord. No. O:12-2010]
(1)Â
For the first false alarm, a warning shall be issued.
(2)Â
For a second false alarm in the same ninety-day period, a fine of
$250 shall be paid to the Township.
(3)Â
For a third and subsequent false alarm within the same ninety-day
period, a fine of up to $750 shall be paid to the Township.
(4)Â
Upon conviction of a violation of this chapter for the fourth time
in any twelve-month period and in addition to any penalty that may
be ordered by the court, the Chief of Police may authorize the disconnection
of alarms from the Gloucester County Communication Center after giving
written notice to the subscriber, at least 10 days in advance, of
his intention to disconnect same. The address for notification shall
be by regular mail at the registration address submitted to the Township
Clerk of the Township of Monroe.