(a) Police Department Responses. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, or penalties provided in order to defray the costs of responding to false alarms, a false alarm fee shall be charged for the second and subsequent false alarms within the same calendar year by the same originator and shall be as set forth in division (a)(1).
(1) Fees for false alarms requiring Police Department response (automobile, residential, business and commercial fire alarms) shall be as follows:
A. Second false alarm $ 50.00
B. Third false alarm $ 75.00
C. Fourth or subsequent false alarms $100.00
(2) False alarm fees shall not apply in the case of the first two false alarms during the two week period following installation of a new alarm or upgrading of an existing system upon proper notice to the Police Department and Fire Department of the installation change. Notice shall be provided telephonically and in writing to each department. A false alarm fee shall only be imposed where false alarms are actually responded to by police personnel and/or equipment.
(3) False alarm fees shall not apply where alarm system malfunction occurs if corrective measures have been undertaken within ten days after the false alarm and a copy of the repair order documenting completed repair by a licensed alarm system contractor is furnished within thirty days of the false alarm delivered to the Record Bureau of the Township Police Department. Notwithstanding in any calendar year, this procedure shall excuse no more than three false alarms. The fourth false alarm shall result in a penalty as prescribed for fourth or subsequent alarms.
(b) Fire Department Responses. Fees for false alarms requiring Fire Department response shall be as follows:
(1) For a standard response (requiring a minimum of equipment and manpower):
A. Fourth false alarm $ 300.00
B. Fifth false alarm 400.00
C. Sixth or subsequent false alarm 500.00
(2) For optimal response (requiring significant deployment of manpower and equipment due to the nature of the building for which the alarm is given, including maximum response uses as set forth in the Fire Prevention Code, NFPA sections and other fire prevention ordinances adopted by the Charter Township of Clinton, such as, but not limited to, multifamily residential dwelling units with more than twelve units, institutions, high-hazard industries and places of assembly of more than 100 persons):
A. Fourth false alarm $ 500.00
B. Fifth false alarm 700.00
C. Sixth or subsequent false alarms 1,000.00
(3) False alarms shall not apply to alarm activation caused by severe weather or other conditions beyond the control of the owner or lessee of any alarm system. No fee shall be imposed for a single engine response as required by Department policy for alarms that have been canceled by the originator prior to actual full response.
(4) No fee shall be imposed during the two week period immediately following installation of a new alarm system or the upgrading of an existing alarm system upon proper written notification to the Fire Department.
(c) Dual Response.
(1) Where a false alarm is responded to by both the Police Department and the Fire Department, both applicable fees shall be charged.
(2) No person shall willfully give, assist in giving, countenance, request or cause to be given any false alarm in any manner; provided that this subsection shall not apply to members of the Fire Department. The provisions of this subsection shall apply to the first, as well as all subsequent, willful false alarms.
(d) Collection of Fees. In the event of a failure to pay, within thirty days, any statement for fees incurred as a result of provisions of this chapter, the Charter Township of Clinton shall be permitted to collect such fees imposed upon any owner of premises (including lessors) in the same manner as ad valorem real property taxes are collected. Such fees may be added to and made a part of subsequent real property tax bills and separately noted on such bill, for purposes of collection. A ten dollar ($10.00) collection fee shall be imposed upon the owner of the premises where such false alarm occurred.
(Ord. 319. Passed 12-22-97; Ord. Unno. Passed 7-16-01.)