ARTICLE 313

Private Security Services

313.01 General.
313.02 Notice.
313.99 Penalty.

313.01 GENERAL.

This Ordinance shall apply to any person, organization, corporation or entity that employs, engages or otherwise accepts the services of any other person, organization, corporation or entity that provides watch guard, protective patrol, detective or criminal investigative services in the City of Bethlehem. This Ordinance shall not be construed to apply to the employment, engagement, or acceptance of the services of local, state or federal government employees, police officers commissioned by the Governor or police officers of a municipal authority, educational institutions, armored car companies, licensed private detectives who are employed in a purely investigative capacity, or any humane society or similar association authorized by law.

313.02 NOTICE.

Any person, organization, corporation or entity to which this Ordinance is applicable shall, personally or through an agent, provide the following information and notice to the Police Commissioner of the City of Bethlehem:

A. At least five (5) days prior to the hiring, employment, engagement or acceptance of the services of any person, organization, corporation, or entity, to which this Ordinance is applicable, such person, organization, corporation, or entity shall provide notice of such hiring, employment, engagement or acceptance on a form provided by the Bethlehem Police Department. Notice of hiring, employment, engagement or acceptance may be provided in advance at the beginning of any week, month or year, so long as the Police Commissioner receives notice of each hiring, employment, engagement or acceptance within at least five (5) days of the commencement of such hiring, employment, engagement or acceptance.

B. If a person, organization, corporation, or entity to which this Ordinance is applicable hires, employs, engages or accepts the services less than five (5) days prior to such hiring, employment, engagement or acceptance of the services, such person, organization, corporation, or entity shall provide notice of such hiring, employment, engagement or acceptance, on a form provided by the Bethlehem Police Department, as soon as practicable immediately thereafter.

313.99 PENALTY.

Any person, organization, corporation or entity that violates any provision of this Article shall be subject to the following penalties:

A. First violation – A fine of not less than $25.00 nor more than $50.00;

B. Second violation – A fine of not less than $50.00 nor more than $250.00;

C. Third and Each Subsequent Violation – A fine of not less than $250.00 nor more than $500.00.

(Ord. 4433 – Passed 6/19/07)

Note: Article 313 – Private Watchmen was deleted in its entirety and replaced with Article 313 – Private Security Services.