The purpose of this article is to establish
regulations concerning the operation and maintenance of certain alarm
systems within the Township of Harrison and to provide penalties for
violation of any of the provisions set forth herein.
For the purpose of this article, certain words
and phrases are defined as follows:
ACT OF GOD
An electrical storm, lightning or other power fluctuation
or power surge, or any other extraordinary circumstances beyond the
control of the alarm system owner.
ALARM SYSTEMS
Any device used for the detection of unauthorized entry into
a premises, an unlawful act within a premises, or for alerting others
about the existence of any other condition necessitating the response
of police, fire or ambulance personnel. "Alarm systems" include, but
are not limited to, direct-dial telephone devices, audible alarms
and subscriber alarms.
AUDIBLE ALARM
A device that emits an audible signal from the premises that
it is designated to protect.
DIRECT-DIAL ALARM
A device which causes a message to be transmitted to the
police, fire, ambulance or other emergency service, stating that emergency
response is necessary.
FALSE ALARM
The activation of any alarm causing a response by the Harrison
Township Police or Fire Department where an emergency situation does
not exist, except in cases where the alarm is activated by an act
of God.
POLICE
Harrison Township Police Department.
SUBSCRIBER ALARM
An alarm system that is directly connected to the Harrison
Township Police Communications and/or Gloucester County Communications
Center, or the Fire Department, or any other entity engaged in the
business of monitoring alarm systems.
All persons, entities, firms or corporations
that maintain alarm systems within their premises shall train all
persons regularly on the premises to prevent false alarms.
[Amended 12-6-2004 by Ord. No. 40-2004]
A. The first false alarm at any property address within
any one-year period: The Chief of Police or Fire Commissioner shall
notify the property owner/resident of the existence of this article
and the responsibilities of property owners/residents under this article.
B. Second false alarm within any one-year period: The Chief of Police or Fire Commissioner shall issue a warning letter to the property owner/resident of the property on which the false alarm occurred. In addition, the owner/resident shall be subject to the user fee set forth in §
70-6, which fee may be waived at the discretion of the Chief of Police, Fire Commissioner or Municipal Court Judge.
C. Third false alarm within any one-year period: Upon
conviction, a fine of up to $250 shall be imposed.
D. Fourth or subsequent false alarm within any one-year
period: Upon conviction for a fourth or subsequent offense, a fine
of not more than $1,250, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90
days or a period of community service not exceeding 90 days shall
be imposed.
E. Any violation of this article that is determined by
the Court to be a knowing and willful violation shall be subject to
a fine up to $1,250, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days
or a period of community service not exceeding 90 days, regardless
of whether there have been any prior warnings or offenses
F. The Court may order that the violator remedy the violation
within a determined time and that the willful failure to remedy the
violation may be treated as a contempt of court which shall be punishable
as provided by law.
G. The Police and Fire Departments shall prepare and
maintain written records of all false alarms occurring after the effective
date of this article.
For any violation under §
70-5C through
F of this article, occurring after January 1, 1995, the Police Chief or Fire Commissioner shall impose a user fee to reimburse the Township for the cost incurred in responding to the false alarm. The user fee imposed shall be in addition to any fines or costs imposed under this article by the Court.
For any violation under §
70-5B through
F of this article, occurring after January 1, 1995, in addition to the penalties contained herein, the user may be subject to an order for restitution for any costs or damages incurred by the Township in responding to the false alarm.
When an investigation by the Harrison Township
Police Department reveals continued abuse of the privilege of having
an alarm system within the Township, and a disregard of the owner
for taking remedial steps to avoid false alarms, the Chief of Police
reserves the right to disconnect any alarm system after giving notification,
in writing, to the owner. All persons, firms or corporations so notified
may appeal to the Township Committee for a final decision.