CHAPTER 50 ALARM SYSTEMS
FALSE ALARMS
Purpose - The purpose of this article is to regulate and provide penalties for false alarms in the Township of Howell, the control of which is the responsibility of the user, owner or the person that maintains such alarm systems.
Definitions - The following terms shall have the following meanings under this article:
ALARM SYSTEM- Equipment or a device or an assembly of equipment and devices designed to signal the presence of an emergency or hazard requiring urgent attention and to which the Police may be expected to respond. This Chapter shall not apply to fire alarms.
FALSE ALARM- Any alarm or signal of an alarm system activated by inadvertence, negligence, intentional or unintentional act of a person, other than by an intruder, and shall include as well, alarms caused by malfunctioning of the alarm device or other relevant equipment, but shall not include alarms caused by weather related events, power outages, or other events decided by the Township Alarm Administrator.
FALSE ALARM FEE- The fee charged for false alarms as provided for in Chapter 139-51 of the Revised General Ordinances of the Township of Howell.
TOWNSHIP ALARM ADMINISTRATOR- The Chief of Police or his designee, or any other person authorized by the Township Council responsible for the enforcement of this article and any administrative duties regarding the regulation and control of alarm systems in the Township of Howell.
REPORTING - In the event of a false alarm, any person having knowledge thereof shall immediately notify the Howell Township Police Communications Center (732) 938-4111.
GRACE PERIOD - No violation shall be assessed to any owner or person that maintains an alarm system as provided for and defined herein during the first 30 days of installation and actuation.
CHAPTER 139 FEES, CHARGES AND COSTS
FALSE ALARM PENALTIES
A. False alarms shall result in the following fees being assessed:
1) 1st –false alarm in a 12 month period, a warning is issued.
2) 2nd-3rd false alarm in a 12 month period, a false alarm fee of $50.00 shall be imposed.
3) 4th – 6th false alarm in a 12 month period, a false alarm fee of $200.00 shall be imposed.
4) 7th – 10th false alarm in a 12 month period, a false alarm fee of $500.00 shall be imposed.
5) For the 11th and subsequent false alarms thereafter in a twelve month period, a false alarm fee of $1,000.00 shall be imposed
B. In determining each twelve-month period, no false alarms shall be included beyond the immediate 12 months after said false alarms occurred.
Entitled False Alarm Penalties to provide for a warning for the first false alarm within a twelve month period.