City Passes Ordinance Mandating CCTV Surveillance By Businesses, Including Doctors And Lawyers Offices

Source: TechDirt
Published: Dec 23, 2016
Author: Tim Cushing
Post Date: 2016-12-24 21:58:06 by Deckard
Views: 7858

from the taking-the-'private'-out-of-'privately-owned-business' dept

Another government has decided to "protect" local businesses by forcing them to install surveillance cameras.

All commercial businesses located here will now be required to install and maintain security cameras or face a fine or jail following passage of a new citywide ordinance by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen Tuesday night.

“A matter that has been of increasing concern to the board lately is keeping the citizens of Madison safe, as well as the people who come here to visit our stores, through the use of security cameras,” City Attorney John Hedglin said. “It’s very important to have a record of what happens in as many places as possible.”

The ordinance has 30 days before it takes effect.

"Here" is Madison, Mississippi, a city with some very low crime rates -- one frequently named to "safest cities" and "best towns for families" lists. Why it's suddenly concerned about business-focused criminal activity is unclear, but the city's government has decided it should be able to force businesses to install CCTV systems, whether or not they need them… or can even pay for them.

Renee Burns, manager of Hop and Habanas, voiced concerns about the cost of surveillance equipment in an interview with WAPT News.

“Surveillance cameras are very expensive, to get everything set up and it could have people close their stores because they can’t afford it,” Burns said.

And if they can't afford them, the new statute will make sure they can't afford to stay in business.

Existing businesses will have one year after the ordinance goes into effect to comply. Those that fail to comply may be subject to a $500 fine and/or up to 90 days in jail. Each day of noncompliance is a different violation.

While there have been similar statutes enacted in other cities, these have generally been targeted at businesses already subject to extra regulation, like pawn shops, gun stores, and pharmacies. There has been some mission creep in recent years, leading to other businesses being ordered to install surveillance systems, like cellphone resellers and scrap metal dealers.

On top of that, many of these ordinances also allow for on-demand law enforcement access, allowing the government to extend its surveillance reach without having to pay for the equipment. The specifics of Madison's new statute haven't been made available yet, so it's unclear whether the collection of footage from businesses will be voluntary and tied only to investigations requested by business owners, or whether law enforcement will just be able to show up and demand to see recordings.

Then there are other privacy concerns to address. The city's attorney has stated that the ordinance covers businesses like doctor's offices and law offices -- places where patient/client confidentiality has long been assumed. Forcing businesses like these to record interactions with their customers would perhaps prevent more-privacy conscious individuals from seeking help. And this new collection of footage could be abused/misused to identify people who thought their requests for legal/medical assistance wouldn't be turned over to law enforcement.

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#1: Gatlin    To: Deckard, YELLOW JOURNALISM ALERT (#0)

All commercial businesses located here will now be required to install and maintain security cameras or face a fine or jail following passage of a new citywide ordinance by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen Tuesday night.
“All" commercial businesses?

NOPE!

Your article really raises its ugly yellow journalism head early on and stands out when the second sentence in the article already contains a flat out lie.

Retail shops, doctor’s offices, lawyer’s offices, and all other commercial establishments with less that a 2,000 square-foot space or less that 25 parking spaces will NOT have to comply
That certainly is not ALL commercial businesses located in Madison, Mississippi….now is it, Dumbtard?

Gatlin posted on 2016-12-26 09:29:38   Reply   Private Reply


#2: Deckard    To: Gatlin (#1)

Looks like your two week drinking binge ended.

Ran out of Sterno?

Crawl back in your wretched hole.

That you see nothing wrong with ANY businesses forced to put up surveillance gear speaks volumes about your fascist tendencies.

Deckard posted on 2016-12-26 09:48:48   Reply   Private Reply


#3: Gatlin    To: Deckard (#2)

That you see nothing wrong with ANY businesses forced to put up surveillance gear …
Ah, all can revert to is a flimsy straw man argument when you try to completely refuted my factual statement through the covert replacement of it with this different proposition.

That will not work, because I never said that I “see nothing wrong with ANY businesses forced to put up surveillance gear.”

I said the author “lied” in his yellow journalism article when he stated that:

All commercial businesses located here will now be required to install and maintain security cameras.”
That is a lie, because:
Retail shops, doctor’s offices, lawyer’s offices, and all other commercial establishments with less that a 2,000 square-foot space or less that 25 parking spaces will NOT have to comply.
Now man up and admit to the lie.

Furthermore, you really need to stop posting yellow journalism containing LIES.

Gatlin posted on 2016-12-26 10:57:01   Reply   Private Reply


#4: Gatlin    To: Deckard, YELLOW JOURNALISM ALERT (#3)

Renee Burns, manager at Hop and Habanas said she thinks the city's camera mandate could force other shops to close.

"Surveillance cameras are very expensive, to get everything set up and it could have people close their stores because they can't afford it," Burns said.

Another bullshit statement from an interview with an idiot in a futile attempt to give this article credence.

It is yet another of the lies contained in this yellow journalism bullshit!

A Dome Camera Pan/Tilt/Zoom Wireless IP Security Surveillance System with a 720p HD Night Vision can be delivered overnight and installed for as little as $49.
Only an idiot would think that a business would close over a $49 expenditure

Gatlin posted on 2016-12-26 11:57:28   Reply   Private Reply


#5: Gatlin    To: Deckard, YELLOW JOURNALISM ALERT (#4)

The ordinance has 30 days before it takes effect.
The yellow journalism author selected only the first part of the quote for disclosure in his article.

The complete quote is:

The ordinance has 30 days before it takes effect. Existing businesses will have one year after the ordinance goes into effect to comply.”
Was the reason of the omission an attempt by the author to make the time compliance requirement of the ordinance appear to be totally unreasonable?

One could easily answer….obviously.

Unless you have a better reason….do you?

The entire article is filled with lies, omissions and misleading information.

This is just another of the many yellow journalism trash articles you continue to post that has now been exposed.

You have nothing here….I will waste no more time on this.

Gatlin posted on 2016-12-26 12:01:50   Reply   Private Reply


#6: A K A Stone    To: Gatlin (#1)

Retail shops, doctor’s offices, lawyer’s offices, and all other commercial establishments with less that a 2,000 square-foot space or less that 25 parking spaces will NOT have to comply

That is still bullshit though.

A K A Stone posted on 2016-12-26 12:02:36   Reply   Private Reply


#7: Gatlin    To: A K A Stone (#6)

Retail shops, doctor’s offices, lawyer’s offices, and all other commercial establishments with less that a 2,000 square-foot space or less that 25 parking spaces will NOT have to comply

That is still bullshit though.

I simply said and truthfully proved that the article is just another piece of yellow journalism bullshit filled with lies, half-truths, innuendos and an interview with a person who has no idea what a security system costs.

Gatlin posted on 2016-12-26 12:25:34   Reply   Private Reply


#8: A K A Stone    To: Gatlin (#7)

I don't disagree with what you said. It was correct.

I'm just saying it still sucks what they are doing. Even if it isn't everyone.

A K A Stone posted on 2016-12-26 12:36:24   Reply   Private Reply


#9: GrandIsland    To: A K A Stone (#8)

I agree this is wrong... and a slippery slope. I'm not in favor of this as a solution. Unfortunately, those drugs that Decktard loves so much has caused an explosion of SWAP shops across America that buy STOLEN merchandise by those drug addicts Decktard loves so much. There also has been a huge increase of theft, forged prescriptions and the repeated buying of meth making materials at drug stores. Then after all Decktards hero's cause this legislation, Decktard stomps his feet loudest towards the folks that at least try and fix the anarchy Decktard loves.

So, it seems that Decktard likes to piss on us all and tell us it's raining... and he uses your forum as his venue.

GrandIsland posted on 2016-12-26 13:30:42   Reply   Private Reply


#10: Deckard    To: GrandIsland (#9)

You're the most cowardly POS on this forum.

You got something to say to me? Then say it too my face you disgusting asshole.

Deckard posted on 2016-12-26 13:39:40   Reply   Private Reply


#11: Deckard    To: GrandIsland (#9)

Yeah, if only drugs were illegal there would be no crime.

Oh wait - THEY ARE!

Fucking simpleton!

Deckard posted on 2016-12-26 13:42:06   Reply   Private Reply


#12: Deckard    To: GrandIsland (#9)

...anarchy...

Alternate text if image doesn't load

Alternate text if image doesn't load

Deckard posted on 2016-12-26 13:48:09   Reply   Private Reply


#13: Gatlin    To: Deckard, GrandIsland (#10)

You're the most cowardly POS on this forum.

You got something to say to me? Then say it too my face you disgusting asshole.

That’s TOO funny.

Why should he even take time to ping you when you STALK his every post.

You never miss anything he has to say …

Gatlin posted on 2016-12-26 13:51:41   Reply   Private Reply


#14: Deckard    To: Gatlin (#13)

Why don't you and sushi-boy get a room?

Maybe he can make you forget about your yukon man-love.

Deckard posted on 2016-12-26 13:54:41   Reply   Private Reply


#15: Gatlin    To: Deckard, GrandIsland (#12)

You got something to say ...

Then use your OWN words....not memes.

Gatlin posted on 2016-12-26 13:55:42   Reply   Private Reply


#16: Gatlin    To: Deckard (#14)

Why don't you and sushi-boy get a room?

Maybe he can make you forget about your yukon man-love.

You need to stop being a sadistic sadistic necrophiliac and start realizing that you are beating a dead horse when you use the same put-down ad nauseam.

For Heavens sake, man….get a new one.

Gatlin posted on 2016-12-26 14:09:12   Reply   Private Reply


#17: GrandIsland    To: Gatlin (#13)

Why should he even take time to ping you when you STALK his every post.

You never miss anything he has to say …

Exactly.

All Decktards retarded LF buddies knew this as well. Just to ashamed to admit.

GrandIsland posted on 2016-12-26 14:45:00   Reply   Private Reply


#18: Gatlin    To: A K A Stone (#8)

I don't disagree with what you said. It was correct.

I'm just saying it still sucks what they are doing. Even if it isn't everyone.

It can of course be considered an overreach for the ordinance requiring CCTV security cameras….I agree with you on that.

But it can also be a case of “damned if you do” and “damned if you don’t” for the mayor and police.

Mayor Butler said the city discusses the need for surveillance cameras with new businesses as they come and most voluntarily move forward with them.

There is usually a reason something happens.

Business owners screaming that criminals are not caught and punished….in the meantime, there were “at least two armed robberies in the city [Madison] where surveillance equipment was unable to capture the suspects.”

“Pot calling the kettle black.”

This new ordinance requires the CCTV security system to be properly functioning.

Gatlin posted on 2016-12-26 14:53:04   Reply   Private Reply


#19: GrandIsland    To: Gatlin (#18)

Business owners screaming that criminals are not caught and punished….in the meantime, there were “at least two armed robberies in the city [Madison] where surveillance equipment was unable to capture the suspects.”

Hands down, no question about it. More crime is being solved because an increase in video available.

That pisses Ol' Decktard off. lol

GrandIsland posted on 2016-12-26 17:12:13   Reply   Private Reply