The Village of Pelham finds that the frequency
of false alarms from alarm systems to the Police and Fire Departments
hinders the efficiency of those Departments, may expose the police,
firefighters, and the general public to avoidable hazards and risks,
waste taxpayer funds and may result in delays of emergency services
to those who actually need them. The purpose of this chapter is to
reduce the number of false alarms and promote the responsible use
of alarm devices in the Village of Pelham.
As used in this chapter, unless the context
otherwise requires, the following phrases, words and their derivations
shall be defined as follows:
ALARM SYSTEMS
A.
Any system designed to call for Police or Fire
Department response when activated by a criminal act, fire or other
emergency which:
(1)
Transmits a signal to police or fire headquarters.
(2)
Transmits a signal to a person who relays information
to police or fire headquarters.
(3)
Produces an audible or visible signal to which
the Police or Fire Departments are expected to respond.
B.
This definition does not include systems which:
(1)
Are designed to alert or signal only persons
within the premises on which the system is installed.
(2)
Are installed in a motor vehicle or trailer.
ALARM USER
The owner or tenant or any premises in which an alarm system
is located.
DIAL ALARM
A telephone-interfaced device that automatically connects
to police or fire headquarters and transmits a prerecorded voice message
to report an emergency condition that requires a response by the Police
Department or Fire Department.
FALSE ALARM
Any activation of an alarm system to which the Police or
Fire Departments respond and which is not caused by a criminal act,
fire or other emergency.
VILLAGE
The Incorporated Village of Pelham.
Information obtained by the Police Department
under this chapter relating to particular alarm users and their alarm
systems shall not be divulged without the written consent of the alarm
user, except as necessary or appropriate to the enforcement or administration
of this chapter or to assist the Police Department or Fire Department
in responding to an alarm.
The use of dial alarms in the Village of Pelham
is prohibited.
The Village Administrator is hereby authorized
to make and publish supplemental rules and regulations concerning
all matters regarding alarm systems. The Village Administrator is
also authorized to change and modify same. All such rules and regulations
and any changes and modifications thereto must not conflict with the
provisions herein, shall be approved by and adopted by resolution
of the Village Board of Trustees and shall only be effective after
a copy thereof has been filed with the Village Clerk.
The Village, its officers, employees or agents
shall have no responsibility for equipment costs, installation charges
or damages resulting from the failure of the alarm system to operate
or the failure of the Village to respond to an alarm or for losses
incurred as a result of damages to the alarm system in the event that
it becomes necessary for the Village to disconnect the alarm pursuant
to this chapter.
Intentionally causing a false alarm is a violation of this chapter, and the violator shall be subject to the penalty provisions of §
1-12 of Chapter
1 of the Code of the Village of Pelham.
Alarm users shall be responsible for the maintenance, service, and proper use of their alarm systems. When an alarm user's alarm system causes more than three false alarms within one year, the alarm user is in violation of this section and subject to the penalty provisions of §
1-12 of Chapter
1 of the Code of the Village of Pelham.
In the event that an alarm system emitting an
audible or visual signal shall fail to be deactivated within the time
limitation specified herein, the Village shall have the right to take
such action as may be necessary to disconnect the alarm.
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section
or part of this chapter shall be adjudged by any court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect or impair
the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the
clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part thereof directly involved
in the controversy in which such judgment shall be rendered.