Subscriber Discussion

Suggestions For A Municipal Policy For Requiring Cameras In Restaurants/Bars

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
•Jun 17, 2018

Have a client that is a small college town that we've installed street view cameras around the popular night spot district.  They now want to issue an ordinance requiring any restaurants or bars to have interior cameras. (most do already)  I was asked for suggestions on what minimum standards should be in this ordinance, and I thought I'd throw this out for group discussion.  

My first question is can they legally do this?  I'll assume so until told otherwise.

Second, any suggestions on what should be in the ordinance from a specification standpoint? 

coverage areas

light sensitivity 

# cameras/sq ft or occupancy  rating?

storage duration

anything else?

Thanks in advance

MM
Michael Miller
•Jun 17, 2018

Yes I have seen this in a couple of city's and towns.  How do you plan on having the town/police access the systems?  Will they have remote access and be able to view cameras or will the owners have to export video when requested?

U
Undisclosed #2
•Jun 17, 2018

Can you bid on work that you are also consulting on to set standards?

Some municipalities have by-laws in place that specifically do not allow this - which I learned the hard way back in the day.

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
•Jun 18, 2018
In reply to Undisclosed #2

Not really an issue as I would interpret it.  These are private businesses who can buy from any one they choose.  The city would not be mandating purchase from a particular vendor, merely setting standards similar to building codes.

U
Undisclosed #2
•Jun 18, 2018
In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #1

The issue I am referring to has nothing to do with customer rights.

Instead, I mean that you as an 'insider' (on the crew helping to set a standard) can be prevented from bidding on any 'new business' that arises due to the new by-law/ordinance that you helped create.

 

PS
Paul Shah
•Jun 18, 2018
In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #1

From what I've seen, these ordinances are always vague and not so technical. 
 

Here is another sample: Clinton Township - Surveillance Cameras Required for Certain Businesses

PS
Paul Shah
•Jun 17, 2018

Here is how they have it in Long Beach, Ca
They never actually are able to watch the cameras, but they are suppose to have the login info. 
They also have an ordinance for Check Cashing locations with the same type of verbiage  

 

CHAPTER 21.57 - ALCOHOL NUISANCE ABATEMENT
ORD-13-0012 , § 1, 2013)

  1. Security cameras providing full camera coverage of all entries and exits into the building and full camera coverage of all public rights-of-way and private parking areas provided by the business. Cameras must record in color with output of at least four hundred eighty (480) lines resolution. Recordings shall be retained for no less than thirty (30) days on an IP-configurable Digital Video Recorder (DVR) or digital storage setup with a public IP address.

The surveillance system username and password shall be provided to the Long Beach Police Department.

A Public Internet Protocol (IP) address and user name/password to allow LBPD to view live
and recorded video from the cameras over the Internet are also required. All video security
cameras shall be installed to the satisfaction of the Police Chief, Director of Technology
Services, and Director of Development Services.

 

 

 

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