DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has updated the requirements for the previously passed video surveillance system ordinance for gas stations.
The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners passed the changes unanimously on Feb. 14.
The ordinance, which took effect last June, requires gas stations, convenience stores, and high-risk businesses to operate 24-hour surveillance systems.
RELATED: Gas stations in DeKalb County could lose business licenses if not in compliance with camera law
The updated ordinance now reduces the storage time of footage from 60 days to 30 days. It also removes the requirement for gas stations to install a camera at each gas pump.
Commissioners say many businesses currently have surveillance systems that meet the county's standards, so they won't require those locations to install additional cameras at individual gas pumps.
As for the reduction in footage storage time, commissioners say due to the cost of storing footage, holding it for two months outweighs the benefit.
"We have found that, generally, both the county and the business will be aware if a crime has been committed within 30 days – so we have adjusted the video storage accordingly," said Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson.
While the amendment has loosened requirements, DeKalb County is still heavily enforcing the law. If businesses fail to adhere to the ordinance, they could be subject to citations, fines or even imprisonment.
“We are cracking down on crime in DeKalb,” said Commissioner Cochran-Johnson. “The ordinance will engage our local businesses in supporting us in this effort and we have already seen the benefit of VSS footage in helping apprehend perpetrators of crime in DeKalb.”
To read the full ordinance, click here.
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