[Amended 8-19-1985 by Ord.
No. 85-26]
The purpose of this chapter is to provide standards and regulations
for various types of intrusion, burglar, fire and other emergency alarm equipment
which produce a visual or audible signal or function by direct line, radio
or telephone or which by any other means require a response by the Department
of Police, fire service or other municipal agencies.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to alarm businesses and to
any person who operates, maintains or owns any alarm device, dial alarm or
local alarm designed to produce a visual or audible signal of an emergency
and designed to summon or alert the police, fire service or other municipal
agencies in response to any type of alarm signal.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
ALARM SYSTEM
Equipment or a device, or an assembly of equipment and devices, to
signal the presence of an emergency or hazard requiring urgent attention and
to which the Department of Police, fire service or other municipal agency
may be expected to respond. In this chapter, the term "alarm system" shall
include the terms "alarm device," "local alarm" and "dial alarm."
CALENDAR YEAR
January 1 through December 31.
[Added 10-7-2002 by Ord.
No. 02-17]
CHIEF OF POLICE
The Chief of Police of the Township of Bridgewater or his designated
representative.
DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE
The designated representative of the Chief of Police or the Fire
Inspector who performs a function required or permitted by this chapter under
the supervision of the Chief of Police or the Fire Inspector, respectively.
DIAL ALARM
Any type of alarm system using telephone lines, transmitting an alarm
directly through the police switchboard providing warning of intrusion, fire
or other peril.
FALSE ALARM
Any alarm or signal of an alarm actuated by inadvertence, negligence,
intentional or unintentional act of a person other than an intruder, and including
alarms caused by mechanical failure, malfunction or improper installation
of the alarm system and related equipment. "False alarms" shall not include
activations caused by power or phone line interruptions, where such interruptions
have been reported to the Police Department. Alarms created by mechanical
failure, malfunctioning or improper installation of the alarm console shall
not be deemed "false alarms."
FIRE ALARM EQUIPMENT
Includes the following:
A.
Devices which automatically detect heat, smoke or other products of
combustion.
B.
Manual systems which actuate a fire alarm signal.
C.
Mechanical systems designed and equipped to detect fires, actuate an
alarm and suppress such fires.
FIRE INSPECTOR
The Fire Inspector of the Township of Bridgewater or his designated representative. The "Fire Inspector" serves concurrently as Fire Subcode Official pursuant to §
99-6 of this Code.
FIRE SERVICES
Authorized fire companies providing fire protection and suppression
to the Township of Bridgewater.
LOCAL ALARM
Any alarm system which, when activated, produces a signal not connected
to the police switchboard, including but not limited to business burglar alarms
actuating bell devices providing warning of intrusion or other peril. The
term "local alarm" shall not include an alarm system solely connected to a
registered motor vehicle, nor shall the term include equipment designed to
signal solely within a building or series of buildings and which does not
emit signals, visible or audible, to persons outside such building or buildings.
[Amended 8-19-1985 by Ord.
No. 85-26]
PERMITTEE
Any person who owns an alarm device who has obtained a permit according
to the provisions of this chapter. All permits shall be issued and fees paid
thereof on a calendar year basis renewable on January 1 of each succeeding
year.
PERSON
Any natural person or individual, or any firm, partnership, association,
limited partnership, sole proprietorship, corporation or any other business
entity.
Any person testing an alarm system covered by the provisions of this
chapter shall notify police headquarters immediately prior to and immediately
after the testing is completed. Failure to do so shall constitute a violation
of this chapter and subject such person to the penalties set forth herein.
The Chief of Police and Fire Inspector, jointly, may from time to time
promulgate rules and regulations in furtherance of the administration of this
chapter. Said rules and regulations shall become effective upon approval by
resolution of the Township Council.
Any individual intentionally, willfully or maliciously destroying or
injuring any of the posts, alarm boxes or other alarm apparatus owned by the
Township of Bridgewater or intentionally, willfully or maliciously interfering
with the operation of same or any part thereof or who hinders or impedes any
of operations intended to be accomplished thereby or who intentionally causes
or assists in causing a false alarm or an emergency to be given in any manner
shall, upon conviction thereof, be imprisoned in the county jail for a term
not exceeding 90 days or shall forfeit and pay a fine not exceeding $500,
or both. In default of any fine imposed hereunder, any person convicted of
a violation of this section may, in the discretion of the Municipal Judge,
be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not exceeding 90 days.