Alarm users, or people thinking about having a protective device installed, often have questions about the Township Ordinance that regulates these systems. The purpose of this page is to provide answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Q: Is a permit required to use an alarm system in West Whiteland Township?
A: Yes. Alarm users are required to file a short application/information form with the Police Department and pay a one-time fee of $25. (Users 65 years and older are exempt from the $25 fee.)
Q: Does my alarm ring directly to the Police Department?
A: No. The alarm signal must alert a central monitoring station. A dispatcher from the central monitoring station will call the Chester County Department of Emergency Services (DES). DES will dispatch the Police.
Q: Must installers of alarm systems meet any requirements under the Ordinance?
A: Yes. Installers and monitoring service providers have many requirements under the Ordinance, including the presentation of evidence of insurance coverage, a list of all accounts in West Whiteland Township, provisions for repair services and an annual permit fee. Installers and monitoring service providers should contact Mrs. Johnson at 610-363-0200 for details.
Q: If I have a false alarm activation, will I be charged a fee?
A: Yes. For purposes of reimbursing the Township for the expense of responding to false alarm activations, users of alarm systems that generate false alarms will be charged a fee for each response.
Q: What happens if my system has many false alarms?
A: A system that has four or more false alarms in a calendar year will be subject to being placed on “verified response” status by the Chief of Police. Verified response means that the Police Department will no longer respond to future alarms at this site. Any alarm must then be verified by a representative of the user or of the central monitoring service as being a true emergency before the Police will be dispatched. (Verified status does not apply to holdup, panic or duress alarms.) The Chief of Police may remove any alarm system from verified response status upon receipt of evidence that the problems causing the false alarms have been corrected.
If you have any other questions, or need to obtain an application form, contact Mrs. Johnson at 610-363-0200.