SOUTH RIVER – In an attempt to reduce the number of false alarms in the community, the Borough Council has reintroduced an ordinance that would, if adopted, increase the penalty for false alarms.
The ordinance was initially adopted on April 10, however, the council is seeking to amend the ordinance to change some of the language regarding the issuance of summonses to business owners and residents who do not register their alarm system.
“We have been sending out violations [as it pertains to] the alarm ordinance and in a couple of cases, we have gotten to the point where a summons would be issued. Some residents have not responded to our efforts to gain compliance [and] we have been discussing internally as to who would actually write the ticket,” Borough Clerk William Bray said.
“That discussion included [Borough Attorney James Nolan], who indicated he felt there were some pieces of the ordinance that needed to be amended so that if we wound up going into court and having to defend it we would be successful,” he said.
Bray said Nolan believed there was some language that was not used consistently throughout the ordinance that needed to be addressed so residents are required to register their alarm system and aware there would be penalties if they do not register an alarm system.
Council members introduced the amended ordinance on Sept. 10. Mayor John Krenzel said a public hearing will be held Sept. 24. The council may adopt the amended ordinance following the public hearing.
Every business owner and resident who wants to install an alarm system will be required to fill out an application for a permit.
“In one instance there is a business that has had multiple false alarms and despite numerous letters from myself and my predecessor to get it registered, they have not even responded to our requests to register their alarm,” Bray said. “In reviewing the ordinance to determine who is authorized to issue the summons, that is when (the borough attorney) felt the ordinance needed to be amended to strengthen so that if we went to court we would win.”
Following the first false alarm for an alarm system that has been registered with the borough, the owner will receive a letter of warning. Following the second and third false alarms, a $25 penalty will be issued. For the fourth false alarm and subsequent false alarms, a $100 penalty will be issued, according to Bray.
For an unregistered alarm system, the penalty will be $25 more than the penalty assessed on a registered alarm system.
Contact Vashti Harris at [email protected].