An ordinance that was passed in 2022 requiring gas stations, convenience stores and other “high-risk” businesses in DeKalb County to operate a 24-hour video surveillance system recently received changes and updates.
According to DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran Johnson, “minor updates” needed to be made to the Video Surveillance System (VSS) ordinance, which regulates details such as video footage quality, storage and lighting at gas stations and convenience stores.
The updates reduce the required storage time of video footage from 60 to 30 days; remove the requirement that each gas pump must have a dedicated camera; authorizes a provisional business to allow additional time to complete compliance within a 180-day period at the discretion of the county; and revise the technical requirements, stated officials.
Cochran Johnson said the changes come as many gas stations and convenience stores faced the same issues while attempting to comply with the original ordinance.
“We have found that several gas and service stations have aerial video capture systems that meet the standard set out in the spirit of the ordinance; so, we are not requiring those locations to install a camera at each gas pump,” said Cochran Johnson. “Also, due to the cost associated with the storage of footage, we believe the cost of holding footage 60 days 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.”
She also stated that the changes should not impact the public’s safety at these locations.
“As a commissioner, my first priority is to protect the health, welfare, and safety of DeKalb’s residents and visitors,” said Cochran Johnson. “In so doing, we are here to be reasonable in our approach, yet unyielding on our mission of safety. As we have set about bringing businesses into compliance, it was necessary to make minor updates to the VSS ordinance, but these modifications in no way compromise safety.”
Cochran Johnson said the goal of the legislation, which she proposed, was to increase public safety at “high-risk businesses.”
“As a result of several acts of violence, murders, and drive-by shootings at gas and service stations, I set out to develop legislation that addresses these acts and ensures safety at high-risk business establishments throughout DeKalb County,” said Cochran Johnson.
After going through numerous drafts and revisions, the final legislation defines “high-risk businesses” as “a retail establishment that is not a convenience store and has been designated as a monitored business… as a result of having more than three calls for police service within 30 consecutive days or is a retail establishment where a serious crime (has occurred), such as murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping and armed robbery.”
Failure to adhere to the ordinance, which requires gas stations and convenience stores to maintain a VSS in proper working order at all times, including outside of business hours, may result in a fine and/or imprisonment, stated officials.
“We are cracking down on crime in DeKalb,” said 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.”
Visit commissionerlorrainecochranjohnson.com to read the ordinance in its entirety.
Read the article on The Champion Newspaper.
