§ 134-2. False electronic transmissions; fines.

False fire or burglar alarms being transmitted either by telephone through an alarm company or through the alarm console in police headquarters, for whatever reason (e.g., mechanical failure, human error, etc.), shall be subject to the following:

A. 

The Fire Chief or Chief of Police or their representatives, as the case may be, shall keep a written record of all false alarms received.

B. 

The following penalties shall be imposed for the transmission of false automatic fire or burglar alarms:

(1) 

For the first four false alarms in any consecutive twelve-month period, a written warning shall be sent to the property owner for the property from which the alarm was received.

(2) 

For all false alarms in excess of four but not to exceed eight false alarms within a consecutive twelve-month period, there shall be a fine of $500 for each false alarm in excess of four but not to exceed eight during any such consecutive twelve-month period.

(3) 

For all false alarms in excess of eight but not to exceed 12 false alarms within a consecutive twelve-month period, there shall be a fine of $1,000 for each false alarm in excess of eight during any such consecutive twelve-month period.

(4) 

For all false alarms in excess of 12 false alarms within a consecutive twelve-month period, there shall be a fine of $1,500 for each false alarm in excess of 12 during any such consecutive twelve-month period.

(5) 

An exception to the above is any false alarm which is a result of either maintenance or repair of the alarm system unless the owner or an agent of the owner has called either the Fire or Police Department, as the case may be, advising of the work being performed on the system. If a call is not made in this situation, there shall be no written warning, but instead a fine shall be imposed as set forth herein.

C. 

All fines are payable to the Borough of Wharton. All false fire alarm fees will be paid into the Fire Prevention Trust Account of the Borough of Wharton.