Township manager asks to advertise Knox Box ordinance after fire and EMS access concerns

The township manager requested authorization to advertise a proposed Knox Box ordinance, saying the draft would expand installation requirements to commercial properties and some multifamily buildings and that the boxes can contribute to a local fire department's Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating.

The manager told the council the township’s recent land-use survey identified roughly 200–250 commercial or industrial properties and 300–350 businesses, and noted that Knox Boxes already exist at only a small number of properties (41 today, up from 12 at the start of the manager’s tenure). "Knox Box just does solve those problems for us without a doubt," an agency official involved in emergency services said, describing repeated access delays and at least two forced-entry incidents before boxes were installed at some sites.

Council members asked how the program would be managed, whether a master code would be trackable and who would hold the master key. The manager said the program lead (Al Cohen) would be responsible for knowing who has access and tracking holders; the manager and staff indicated the administrative record is maintained in spreadsheets rather than a web portal.

The ordinance draft makes local first responders (including Shaler Hampton EMS) designated holders of the master key repository and specifies that the ordinance would be triggered by change in occupancy or issuance of building or zoning permits. The manager recommended advertisement so the council could consider formal adoption at a subsequent meeting.

On a roll-call vote to authorize advertisement, recorded council members voted in favor and the motion passed.