ATLANTA — Gas station and convenience store owners in Atlanta could soon be required to install high-grade video surveillance cameras to monitor crime.
An ordinance would require all Atlanta gas stations and the convenience stores connected to them to install surveillance cameras at each pump.
Members of the Public Safety Committee passed the legislation Monday.
As listed in the ordinance, the reason why is crime. According to the legislation, there have been numerous incidents of car theft and violence at gas stations throughout the city.
"I think we would all agree that a significant amount of crime happens at convenience stores and gas stations," Atlanta City Councilmember Keisha Waites said.
Waites introduced a previous version of the video surveillance mandate that was not passed to the Atlanta City Council earlier this year. Similar proposals have also come up in the past.
In a statement made Monday, the councilmember announced her support for the new ordinance.
"Requiring surveillance cameras at gas stations and convenience stores will be a strong deterrent to potential criminals. They will know their actions are being recorded and monitored, which will make it a safer environment for customers and employees. I supported similar legislation in our city, and I credit DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson for being a leader on this issue and for referring me to the Commission’s legislation as a tool to support public safety,” Waites said in an email to 11Alive.
The surveillance cameras would be used to help apprehend criminal offenders and to protect business owners and their customers.
If enacted as is, business owners would follow the regulations below:
- Required to install a continuous video recording system to each fuel pump.
- Cameras must be capable of producing a retrievable and identifiable image on film or tape that can be made a permanent record and that can be enlarged through projection or other means.
- Cameras meeting the requirements must be maintained in proper working order at all times and shall be in operation during all hours establishment is open for business.
- Establishments must have immediate availability of a back-up camera in the event the primary system becomes inoperable.
- If a crime occurs or an employee believes a crime has occurred, the police department shall be contacted immediately, and the film retrieved by a designated police officer.
Where things stand now
Following the decision made Monday by the city's public safety committee, the full council will vote on the ordinance August 7.
According to Waites, if it passes the City Council, it would then go towards the Georgia General Assembly for a final approval because county and city governments don't have unilateral authority in Georgia to impose new costs on businesses.
There are other hurdles to enacting business regulations on some types of businesses and not others, including "data justifying requirements and penalties" Waites said. She said the data would show higher crime at Atlanta gas stations.
A similar measure went into effect in DeKalb County on June 30.
Atlanta City Council members will vote on the current legislation at their next full council meeting in August. If it gets General Assembly approval, city leaders said store owners will have around six months to make the adjustment.