[Adopted 8-1-1994 by Ord. No. 13-1994]
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:
An electrical storm, lightning or other power fluctuation
or power surge, or any other extraordinary circumstances beyond the
control of the alarm system owner.
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.
A device that emits an audible signal from the premises that
it is designated to protect.
A device which causes a message to be transmitted to the
police, fire, ambulance or other emergency service, stating that emergency
response is necessary.
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.
Harmony Fire Company or Ewan Fire Company.
Harrison Township Police Department.
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.
Township of Harrison.
A.
It shall be the responsibility of all persons, entities,
firms, corporations, or other groups that maintain alarm systems within
the Township, to file with the Police or Fire Department 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.
B.
Audible alarms must be silenced within 15 minutes
after a designated responsible person is notified to do so by the
Police and/or Fire Department. If the alarm system is equipped with
a timing device, that device must automatically silence the audible
alarm within 10 minutes after it is actuated. All alarm systems installed
after January 1, 1995, shall be equipped with an automatic timing
device to silence the audible alarm within the time period prescribed
herein.
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 Police Communications and/or Gloucester
County Communications Center. Recorded messages must also include
the name and telephone number of a responsible person who may be contacted
by the Police or Fire Department in case of an emergency.
D.
The owner or occupant of any property equipped with
a direct dial alarm who is present at the property when a false alarm
is activated must contact the Harrison Township Police within five
minutes of the activation of the false alarm and notify the police
that an emergency does not exist. Immediate notification of the police
within the time provided in this section shall not be deemed to be
a false alarm.
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.
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.
A.
The provisions of this article shall not apply to
the general alerting alarms that may be used by fire companies, ambulance
squads, or other municipal agencies to summon response of their members.
B.
The provisions of this article shall not apply to
alarm systems that are affixed to motor vehicles.
