Article 3
Alarm Systems Control

§10-301 Short Title.

This Article shall be known as the “Alarm Systems Control Ordinance.”

(Ord. 1990-2, 4/9/1990, §1)

§10-302 Purpose.

The purpose of this Article is to make provisions for the registration of alarm systems, establish regulations and guidelines for the use of alarm systems, and provide penalties for the misuse or false activation of alarm systems.

(Ord. 1990-2, 4/9/1990, §2)

§10-303 Scope.

The provisions of this Article shall apply to any person who operates, maintains, or owns any automatic protection device (APD), automatic dialer alarm (ADA), or proprietary alarm.

(Ord. 1990-2, 4/9/1990, §3)

§10-304 Definitions.

Alarm user - any individual, partnership, unincorporated association, corporation, trust, or other legally recognized entity in control of any premises having an audible alarm system or automatic protection device which notifies the Police Department either directly or indirectly and requires the response of the Police Department.

Audible alarm - any device, bell, horn or siren which is attached to the interior or exterior of a building and emits a warning signal audible outside the building and is designed to attract attention when activated by a criminal act or other emergency requiring police to respond.

Automatic dialer alarm - a device interconnected to a telephone line programmed to automatically dial and transmit a request for police response either directly to the Police Department or to the police communications center through the use of a prerecorded message or signal.

Automatic protection device - any mechanical or electrically operated instrument composed of sensory apparatus and related hardware which is designed or used for the detection of an authorized entry into a building, structure or facility, or for alerting others of the commission of an unlawful act within a building, structure, facility or both, and which emits a sound or transmits a signal or message when activated. Automatic protection devices include, but are not limited to, audible alarms, automatic dialing devices, alarms connected directly to the police communications center and proprietor alarms.

Borough - the Borough of Cornwall, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.

Chief of Police - the Chief of Police of the Borough of Cornwall.

False alarm - any alarm signal actuated by inadvertence or negligence or unintentional act of someone other than an unauthorized intruder or vandal and shall include as well alarm signals caused by malfunctioning of the alarm system or other relevant equipment. False alarm shall not include alarm signals actuated by wind or electrical storms, lightning, fire, flood or other acts of nature, damage to electrical or telephone poles, electrical or telephone transmission lines outside the owners premises, routine maintenance by power or telephone companies, or alarms actuated during installation, repairing, or modifying the alarm system.

Person - any individual, partnership, corporation, association or other legally recognized entity.

Police communication center - the County communications center of the Lebanon County Emergency Management Center.

Police Department - the Police Department of the Borough of Cornwall.

(Ord. 1990-2, 4/9/1990, §4)

§10-305 General Provisions.

1.    Alarm User Registration.

A.    It shall be unlawful for any property owner, lessee of a property, or a person otherwise occupying any premises within the Borough to put or allow to be put into operation, any automatic protection device or audible alarm system without first registering the device/system with the Borough.

B.    Within 30 days after the effective date of this Article, every alarm user shall register each alarm system in use.

C.    The alarm user making the registration required in paragraph .A of this subsection shall complete the registration form provided by the Borough which shall include the alarm user's name, the address of the residence or business or businesses in or upon which the alarm system has or will be installed, the alarm user's telephone number, the type of alarm system, the alarm equipment supplier selling, installing, monitoring, inspecting, responding to and/or maintaining the alarm system, the central station protective system utilized if any, and the name and telephone number of at least two other persons who can be reached at any time and who are authorized to respond to an alarm system, and who shall respond and open the premises in which the system is installed if requested to do so by a police officer.

D.    Any alarm user who has registered under this Article shall promptly notify the Police Department of any change in the information supplied on the alarm user registration form.

2.    Alarm Without Timing Mechanism. Owners or lessees of premises equipped with audible alarm systems must equip such systems with a timing mechanism that will disengage the audible alarm after a maximum period of 15 minutes and remain disengaged until the alarm is serviced or reset. Audible alarms without such a timing mechanism shall be unlawful and must be de-activated by the owners or lessees of the premises within 60 days from the effective date of this Article.

3.    Automatic Dialer Alarm Prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to install, program, use or interconnect an automatic dialing device programmed to automatically transmit a request for emergency response either directly to the office of the Cornwall Borough Police Department or to the police communications center.

4.    Testing Prohibited Without Permission. It shall be unlawful for any alarm user to conduct a test or demonstration of any automatic protection device designed to make direct connection to the police communications center at any time without first obtaining permission from the Police Department. Such permission is not required where the equipment to be tested or demonstrated is connected to an intermediary and the receipt of the alarm or signal is not relayed to the Police Department by any means.

5.    False Alarms. In the event of a false alarm, the Borough prescribes the following provisions:

A.    For the first through the fifth false alarm in a given calendar year, a warning shall be issued by the Chief of Police or his designee to the property owner, property lessee, or person otherwise occupying the premises that a false alarm was received. Upon receipt of the fifth false alarm in a calendar year, the Chief of Police or his designee shall make notification that a fifth false alarm was received and that any further false alarms during the same calendar year will result in fees and possible fines as set forth in this Article.

B.    For the sixth through the tenth false alarm in the same calendar year, an administrative fee in an amount as established from time to time by resolution of Borough Council payable to the Borough of Cornwall shall be imposed. [Ord. 2009-1]

C.    For the eleventh and subsequent false alarm in the same calendar year, an administrative fee in an amount as established from time to time by resolution of Borough Council payable to the Borough of Cornwall shall be imposed. [Ord. 2009-1]

(Ord. 1990-2, 4/9/1990, §5; as amended by Ord. 2009-1, 7/13/2009)

§10-306 Notice.

Notice as required by this Article shall be given by the Chief of Police or his designee, to the person occupying the premises upon which the alarm system is located by mailing a copy of the notice, certified mail, return receipt requested, to such person at the address where the alarm system is located. Notice may also be given by personal service of the notice by handing a copy of the same to the occupant of the premises upon which the alarm system is located or to an adult resident thereof or an employee located thereon. If service is made by personal service, the Chief of Police, or his designee, shall file a proof of service which shall be under oath and which shall designate the person and title upon whom service was made.

(Ord. 1990-2, 4/9/1990, §6)

§10-307 Confidentiality.

The information furnished and secured pursuant to this Article shall be confidential in nature and shall not be subject to public inspection and shall be kept in such a manner so that the contents thereof shall not be known except to persons charged with the administration of this Article.

(Ord. 1990-2, 4/9/1990, §7)

§10-308 Penalties.

Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Article or any person, firm or corporation who shall fail to pay the administrative fee herein prescribed, upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced to a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days. Each day that a violation of this Article continues or each Section of this Article which shall be found to have been violated shall constitute a separate offense.

(Ord. 1990-2, 4/9/1990, §8; as amended by Ord. 2009-1, 7/13/2009)