Bloomfield Township to update alarm ordinance

A public hearing will be held at the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, June 24, to discuss a proposed ordinance amendment to the township's alarm ordinance. Bloomfield Township Fire Marshal Pete Vlahos said the township's alarm ordinance allows for enforcement by police related to false alarms, but the fire department hasn't used the ordinance to enforce false alarm runs by firefighters. He said the issue stems from alarm contractors who fail to utilize testing modes of alarms when installing or conducting work. Vlahos said first responders aren't always notified by those contractors when alarms are false, using the department's resources and time to respond. Bloomfield Township Clerk Jan Roncelli said she has accidentally set off her home alarm by failing to disarm before opening the door. However, she said she is typically notified by the alarm company before the department responds, thwarting the need for a response. Vlahos said the ordinance isn't aimed at residents, and includes language to allow for leniency with residents. "This isn't to impose (on residents). This is to address some of our contractor who are fully aware that when they are working on an alarm system to put it in test mode, which probably half the time they don't," Vlahos said. The introduction of the ordinance amendment and scheduling of public hearing was approved unanimously.