Alarm Law

15 E. Chautauqua Street P.O. Box 128 Mayville, NY 14757 716-753-2131

Sheriff Joseph A. Gerace

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If you need to Re-Register your alarm,
you may do so by calling the records office.
Jamestown 716-661-7920
Mayville 716-753-4920
Dunkirk 716-399-4920

Local Law
Introductory Number 3-2003
County of Chautauqua

A local Law Regulating Automatic Alarm Systems
in the County of Chautauqua

BE IT ENACTED, by the County Legislature of the County of Chautauqua, as follows:

Section 1.          Purpose.

The purpose of this Local Law is to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of the County of Chautauqua by reducing the number of avoidable false alarms. False alarms result in unnecessary use of manpower and ineffective utilization of police, ambulance, fire and rescue equipment. This Local Law seeks to ensure that police, ambulance, fire and rescue emergency personnel are available for dispatch to actual emergencies and to alleviate the nuisance of audible false alarms to the surrounding community.

Section 2.          Definitions.

A. An "alarm system" shall include a device or an assembly of equipment which emits an audible, visual, or other similar response which is intended to alert persons outside a premises to the existence of a hazard or emergency; or which is connected to a central station or answering service for the purpose of reporting such alarms to emergency agencies.

B. An "alarm user" shall include any person who owns, leases, or uses an alarm system within the County of Chautauqua, except for alarm systems located within the Cities of Dunkirk and Jamestown and the Village of Fredonia.

Section 3.          Registration of Alarm Systems.

Alarm users shall be required to annually register on a calendar year basis each alarm system they own, lease, or use with the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office in accordance with registration procedures promulgated by the Chautauqua County Sheriff. There shall be a one time registration fee of $25.00 for the initial registration of each alarm system. An alarm registration shall not be transferable to another person or alarm site. Alarm users shall be required to notify the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office of any change in their registration information within thirty (30) days of such change.

Section 4.          Alarm User Liability.

Alarm users shall be liable for false alarms, including, without limitation, false alarms arising from improper use or operation of an alarm system, defective installation of an alarm system, the failure to repair an alarm system, or the use of defective equipment in connection with an alarm system, but shall not be liable for the activation of an alarm system under circumstances where the activator reasonably believes that an emergency situation exists. Alarm users also shall not be liable for false alarms caused by violent conditions of nature beyond the control of the user of an alarm system.

Section 5.          Deactivation of Alarms.

A. All alarm systems which employ an audible signal or flashing light beacon designed to signal persons outside the premises must be deactivated and silenced automatically within fifteen (15) minutes.

B. Emergency officials are hereby authorized to disable an audible alarm signal that has not been silenced within fifteen (15) minutes and neither the County, its officers and employees, or police and fire officials, shall be liable for any damage which may result from disabling an audible alarm signal as herein provided.

Section 6.          Civil Penalties.

A. An alarm user shall be liable for the following civil penalties for prohibited false alarms during the calendar year:

First false alarm Warning Letter Only

Second and Third false alarms $25.00

Fourth False Alarm $50.00

Fifth false alarm $100.00

Sixth or more false alarms $200.00

B. Any person who fails to register his or her alarm system or fails to update changes in his or her registration information as required in section 3 hereof, or whose alarm system violates the standards set forth in section 5 hereof, shall be liable for a civil penalty of $50.00.

Section 7.          Hearing Provisions.

A. Whenever the County intends to impose a civil penalty for a violation of this Law, the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office shall give at least twenty (20) days advance written notice to the alleged violator by first class mail. The notice shall state the basis for the civil penalty and advise the alleged violator of the right to request in writing a hearing within such twenty (20) day period. The request shall specify the reasons why a civil penalty should not be imposed.

B. Written notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be sent to the alleged violator by first class mail at least twenty (20) days prior to the date set for the hearing. A hearing shall be scheduled within at least sixty (60) days of a request for such hearing. The hearing officer shall be designated by the Chautauqua County Executive.

C. At the hearing, the alleged violator shall have the right to confront and examine witnesses and present evidence on his own behalf. After the hearing, the hearing officer shall issue a written decision setting forth his or her findings and determinations.

D. In the event the alleged violator fails to request a hearing, the County shall have the right to impose the civil penalty prescribed for the violation.

E. The County shall not impose a civil penalty more than two (2) years after the occurrence of the acts forming the basis of the violation.

Section 8.          Liability.

The County of Chautauqua shall not be liable for any defects in operation of emergency alarm systems, for any failure to respond appropriately or for any erroneous response upon receipt of any emergency alarm signal. Nor shall the County be liable for the failure or defect of any installation, operation, or maintenance of equipment, the transmission of alarm signals or messages, or the relaying of such signals or messages. In the event that the County finds it necessary to disconnect a defective alarm or device, the County shall incur no liability therefrom.

Section 9.          Severability.

In any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or work of this Local Law is for any reason held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this ordinance.

Section 10.          Effective Date.

This Local Law shall be effective beginning August 11th 2003.

Tips For False Alarm Prevention

Thousands of homeowners and businesses rely on sophisticated alarm systems to summon help for burglaries, fires and medical emergencies. Yet about 90% of calls sounded each year are false alarms, tripped inadvertently because of user error and faulty equipment.

As an alarm owner, you should know the severity of a false alarm dispatch is the same as falsely calling 911.

Most false alarms are caused either by user error or an environmental factor at the location - such as birds in a warehouse tripping a motion detector. So the best way to limit false alarms is through knowledge of your system and the location it is designed to protect. For instance, motion detectors shouldn't be installed in areas where pets can roam.

In the event of a Fire Alarm, Never assume that it is a false alarm. Treat every fire alarm as the real thing. Do not reset the alarm until the fire department arrives. They need to see where the problem is in case it is a malfunction.

Why are false alarms a problem?

False alarms take Police away from real emergencies. This embarrassing situation for you can endanger the responding authorities and your whole community.

False alarms can lead neighbors to ignore your alarm when it goes off.

False alarms make you reluctant to arm your system, exposing your home and property to undetected theft or fire.

False alarms can cost you money! Many jurisdictions, including Chautauqua County assess costly fines for excessive false alarms.

False alarms make your security system less reliable and credible.

76%
76% of false alarms are caused by user error. Be sure to train anyone who may be using your system!

Learn how YOU can prevent False Alarms

Be Comfortable using your system!

1. Test your system regularly.
2. Keep a sheet with simple operating procedures for the system nearby.
3. Be comfortable with how much time you have to arm and disarm your system.
4. Before leaving securely close and lock all protected doors and windows.
5. Keep pets, fans, heaters, balloons, etc. away from motion sensor areas.

Everyone who has a key to your home and business must know how to operate your security system.

1. Remind visiting relatives, kids returning from school, etc. how to use your system.

Have all alarm system users practice the process to cancel an accidental alarm.

1. If a false alarm occurs - don't panic! Enter your disarm code carefully to reset your alarm.
2. If you set off your alarm by accident, do not leave until you are certain that either your system has reset or your central station calls you and you give your password or ID code.
3. If you don't understand any aspect of your alarm system, contact your dealer!
4. Service and maintain the system regularly before false alarms occur.

Keep in touch with your alarm company.

1. Provide your Central Station with current key holder information.
2. Contact your alarm company if you are planning any home improvements.
3. Contact your alarm company and tell them of any changes in your telephone service or if you get a new area code.
4. Contact your alarm company as soon as you obtain a new pet.
5. Ask your alarm company about available service and maintenance programs.

The bottom line is to be comfortable with your alarm system, and to communicate with your alarm company. Call with questions, concerns, or changes in your household or business since the system was installed.