Houston City Council votes to require outdoor security cameras at certain types of businesses
The new rule requires bars, nightclubs, sexually-oriented businesses, convenience stores and game rooms to install outdoor security cameras.
KHOU 11 NEWS
Author: Adam Bennett
Published: 4:12 PM CDT April 20, 2022
Updated: 4:12 PM CDT April 20, 2022
HOUSTON — The Houston City Council on Wednesday voted to require certain types of businesses to have outdoor security cameras.
The vote came just days after Houston police arrested a person for an alleged gang-related shooting in the Galleria area. Police said outdoor security cameras played a key role in their investigation.
The new rule requires bars, nightclubs, sexually-oriented businesses, convenience stores and game rooms to install outdoor security cameras.
Under the rule, these types of businesses will be required to provide video surveillance from the building exterior to the property line 24 hours a day. Business owners are also required to hand over footage to HPD within 72 hours of a request.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said they’ll put out information on a number of their platforms for business owners with questions before the ordinance takes effect in 90 days.
“There’s going to be an educational process too. We want compliance. We don’t want to go out and write a whole lot of tickets unless we have to,” Finner said. “It simply helps us solve crimes.”
The fine for non-compliance with the rule will be up to $500.
