[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Victor 2-10-1997 by L.L. No.
5-1997; amended in its entirety 5-11-2009 by L.L. No.
4-2009. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as the "False Alarm Local Law."
The purpose of this chapter is to protect and promote the health,
safety and general welfare of the residents of the Town of Victor
by reducing the number of false alarms to the local fire departments
and/or fire districts. In addition, it is intended that this chapter
provide to fire communication facilities expeditious dispatch of fire
personnel to actual fire and related emergencies.
The Town Board of the Town of Victor has determined that false
alarms unnecessarily drain resources and require emergency responses
which may contribute to a high accident rate and delayed responses
to genuine emergencies. It is in the best interest of the Town to
prevent and regulate false alarms.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to false alarms to
fire departments and fire-related responses, and this chapter shall
not apply to law enforcement and ambulance-related responses.
For the purpose of this chapter, certain words and phrases shall
be construed herein as set forth in this section.
Any mechanical or electrical device which is designed or
used for and which emits a sound or transmits a signal or message
when activated. Alarm systems include, but are not limited to, direct
dial telephone devices, audible alarms and proprietor alarms. Devices
which are not designed or used to register alarms that are audible,
visible or perceptible outside of the protected building, structure
or facility are not included within this definition, nor are auxiliary
devices installed by the telephone company or a cable television company
to protect its systems which might be damaged or disrupted by the
use of an alarm system.
The activation of an alarm system indicating an emergency
situation when, in fact, no emergency situation exists.
Written notice given by personal service upon the addressee
or given by United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the
person to be notified at his last known address.
Any person who owns, leases, contracts for or otherwise obtains
a fire alarm system.
All fire alarm systems must be properly maintained at all times.
Operational instructions shall be kept accessible on the premises
at all times. All fire alarm systems must be tested annually and have
a certification placed on the control equipment stating the date when
the system was tested.
A.
It shall be a violation of this chapter if:
(1)
A false alarm is triggered as a result of mechanical failure, malfunction,
improper installation or the negligence of the owner, user or custodian;
or
(2)
A false alarm is triggered intentionally and the person activating
the alarm knows that an emergency situation does not, in fact, exist;
and
(3)
The triggering of a false alarm results in notification to an emergency
service provider that an emergency situation exists.
B.
It shall not be a violation of this chapter if:
Written notice shall be provided upon the occurrence of a false
alarm on the first and second occurrence in one year. Such notice
shall state the fines as provided for in this chapter. Service of
such notice shall be effective upon the completion of personal service
or upon the placing of the same in the custody of the United States
Postal Service.
A violation of this chapter, or any portion thereof, is hereby
declared to be an offense punishable by a fine as stated below or
imprisonment for not exceeding 15 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Upon occurrence of a violation of this chapter, a Code Enforcement
Officer will issue an appearance ticket subjecting the owner or occupant
of the premises to the following fines:
