Montgomery County to Introduce "Late Night Business Safety Plan" Legislation

[Sunrise]

It's the three floor beige and burnt orange building picture behind the EXXON.

There used to be an Old School motor Lodge there.

View attachment 404046

Thanks. I didn't recognize it!

 

[Sunrise]

Bill 14-23, Police – Late Night Business Safety Plan:

Status: https://apps.montgomerycountymd.gov/ccllims/BillDetailsPage?RecordId=2789&fullTextSearch=Bill AND 14-23

Text: https://apps.montgomerycountymd.gov..._1_23775_Bill_14-23_Introduction_20230228.pdf

> Under Bill 14-23, a late night business would be defined to include a business located within a “priority” police response area if the business: (1) has liquor, tobacco, or food sold and consumed on the premises; and (2) operates between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m.

> A late night business would be required to submit to the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD), every three years, a late night business safety plan. The plan would be subject to MCPD approval and, if the plan is disapproved, the late night business would not be permitted to operate from midnight to 6:00 a.m.

> The features of a late night business plan would depend upon the business and could include, among other things: security personnel and training; exterior lighting; digital security cameras; and clearing exterior windows. If security cameras are required, then the plan would also have to require that the late night business must provide video recordings to MCPD upon demand if MCPD is investigating a violent felony. MCPD could recommend, but not require, a business to search patrons by the use of metal detectors, magnetometers, or pat downs.

> Violations of the late night business requirements would constitute Class A violations. The bill would require MCPD to develop Method (2) regulations to implement the bill’s requirements.

 

[RFBfromDE]

If security cameras are required, then the plan would also have to require that the late night business must provide video recordings to MCPD upon demand if MCPD is investigating a violent felony.

Warrantless searches/evidence gathering.

No Thanks.

 

[RFBfromDE]

It’s a homeless shelter for lack of a better term now.

Officially or just squatters?

 

[justanotherjeep]

Officially or just squatters?

The last few times I ran a call there everyone I dealt with staying there was homeless and had been put up there. Other similar setups in Gaithersburg and Germantown.

 

[RFBfromDE]

The last few times I ran a call there everyone I dealt with staying there was homeless and had been put up there. Other similar setups in Gaithersburg and Germantown.

Ah, so the owners are still being greased by MOCO.

Us > < MOCO and it's landlord buddies.

 

[rseymorejr]

Bill 14-23, Police – Late Night Business Safety Plan:

Status: https://apps.montgomerycountymd.gov/ccllims/BillDetailsPage?RecordId=2789&fullTextSearch=Bill AND 14-23

Text: https://apps.montgomerycountymd.gov..._1_23775_Bill_14-23_Introduction_20230228.pdf

> Under Bill 14-23, a late night business would be defined to include a business located within a “priority” police response area if the business: (1) has liquor, tobacco, or food sold and consumed on the premises; and (2) operates between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m.

> A late night business would be required to submit to the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD), every three years, a late night business safety plan. The plan would be subject to MCPD approval and, if the plan is disapproved, the late night business would not be permitted to operate from midnight to 6:00 a.m.

> The features of a late night business plan would depend upon the business and could include, among other things: security personnel and training; exterior lighting; digital security cameras; and clearing exterior windows. If security cameras are required, then the plan would also have to require that the late night business must provide video recordings to MCPD upon demand if MCPD is investigating a violent felony. MCPD could recommend, but not require, a business to search patrons by the use of metal detectors, magnetometers, or pat downs.

> Violations of the late night business requirements would constitute Class A violations. The bill would require MCPD to develop Method (2) regulations to implement the bill’s requirements.

"Priority police response area"

That sounds vaguely racist and selective to me

 

[RFBfromDE]

"Priority police response area"

That sounds vaguely racist and selective to me

Only when insurance companies do it!

 

[MJD438]

Another MoCo/Maryland politics norm - don't blame the criminals for the crime, place the burden on the law abiding...

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

 

[spoon059]

Warrantless searches/evidence gathering.

No Thanks.

You don't need a warrant for business records, which is what surveillance video is.

Sent from my SM-N970U1 using Tapatalk

 

[RFBfromDE]

You don't need a warrant for business records, which is what surveillance video is.

Sent from my SM-N970U1 using Tapatalk

That's interesting. Are the phone companies exempt?

 

[Biggfoot44]

Officially or just squatters?

Just a wild guess , but if it is the comparitively least expensive hotel near the Strip , by default it would get ( temporary or semi perment ) residentially challenged patronage .

 

[Biggfoot44]

So , adopting Mopar's " let's play Substitute the Noun " :

The County wants to tell businesses to the effect of " If you don't want to get raped , it's your responsibility to not dress like a slut . And we'll set your dress code as we see fit , and fine you if you don't obey . "

And greater Silver Spring Camber of Commerce says " Thank you Master . may I have another one please " . ( Simple wokeness or political butt
kissing to cash in later over a zoning or licensing issue ? Or favortism to corporate chain stores over independent and small business ? )

**************************

Not to say that various security precautions aren't worthwhile either of their own initiative , or as required by their Insurance company .

But for a gas station , or convience store , independent , or an individual franchisee , you're telling them they have a curfew without actually using the C word .

And 3 months later will be complaints MoCo is a gasoline and milk & bread desert , and it's racist , that working class minorities are more likely tp have shift work service jobs , and they can't shop or get gas on the way home .

The $64 Question : Will gas stations and corner markets be able to lock up the cigarette display at 23:59 and be exempt ?

 

[spoon059]

That's interesting. Are the phone companies exempt?

For historical business records, yes.

Sent from my SM-N970U1 using Tapatalk

 

[Sunrise]

Another MoCo/Maryland politics norm - don't blame the criminals for the crime, place the burden on the law abiding...

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

It's the Elrich way.

Eventually they'll stop calling them criminals entirely.... "Justice involved individuals".

 

[Sunrise]

"Priority police response area"

That sounds vaguely racist and selective to me

Let's go to the Public Safety Data: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/pol/crime-data.html

Have a look at the Crime Incident Map

Also see:

Annual Crime Report page, MCPD, Montgomery County, MD

www.montgomerycountymd.gov

I'm not surprised that I'm not surprised by anything here.

 

[Sunrise]

So , adopting Mopar's " let's play Substitute the Noun " :

The County wants to tell businesses to the effect of " If you don't want to get raped , it's your responsibility to not dress like a slut . And we'll set your dress code as we see fit , and fine you if you don't obey . "

And greater Silver Spring Camber of Commerce says " Thank you Master . may I have another one please " . ( Simple wokeness or political butt
kissing to cash in later over a zoning or licensing issue ? Or favortism to corporate chain stores over independent and small business ? )

**************************

Not to say that various security precautions aren't worthwhile either of their own initiative , or as required by their Insurance company .

But for a gas station , or convience store , independent , or an individual franchisee , you're telling them they have a curfew without actually using the C word .

And 3 months later will be complaints MoCo is a gasoline and milk & bread desert , and it's racist , that working class minorities are more likely tp have shift work service jobs , and they can't shop or get gas on the way home .

The $64 Question : Will gas stations and corner markets be able to lock up the cigarette display at 23:59 and be exempt ?

Well said.

Bill 14-23, Police – Late Night Business Safety Plan, sponsored by the Council President at the request of the County Executive, is scheduled for introduction on February 28, 2023. A public hearing is tentatively scheduled for March 14, 2023 and a Public Safety Committee worksession is tentatively scheduled for March 27, 2023.

 

[Sunrise]

They just had the Public Hearing on this Bill yesterday:

Agenda/Staff Reports

Testimony

Summary



Starts at 35:41

Residents weigh in on Montgomery County's late-night business safety plan

An initiative recently proposed in Montgomery County would require local businesses that are open late --- like bars, restaurants, and lounges --- to submit a safety plan. The legislation was introduced last month and would apply to the businesses in Silver Spring with the highest number of...

www.fox5dc.com

Businesses, Residents Divided on Late Night Business Safety Plan

With growing crime concerns in the Downtown Silver Spring area, there are mixed reactions on a proposal for late night businesses to develop crime prevention plans. On Tuesday, the council… Read More

www.mymcmedia.org

Should late night businesses develop crime prevention plans in Montgomery Co.? - WTOP News

Residents in Montgomery County are increasingly concerned about fighting crime while protecting those who work the late shift. A proposed bill looks to businesses for support.

wtop.com

 

[RFBfromDE]

Dr. Veiga may be a tool. But in this case, he is right.

"Some residents, such as Dr. Robert Veiga of the Silver Spring Justice System, oppose the bill saying it gives too much power to the police departments and hurts Black and Brown businesses.

“It gives the police the power to decide which black and immigrant owned businesses can operate by giving the police the sole authority to approve each business safety plan,” said Dr. Veiga. “And by entrusting them to designate their location as a “priority area” with no checks on this power, no appeal process or even a plan for oversight or data collection.”

 

[Sunrise]

Dr. Veiga may be a tool. But in this case, he is right.

"Some residents, such as Dr. Robert Veiga of the Silver Spring Justice System, oppose the bill saying it gives too much power to the police departments and hurts Black and Brown businesses.

“It gives the police the power to decide which black and immigrant owned businesses can operate by giving the police the sole authority to approve each business safety plan,” said Dr. Veiga. “And by entrusting them to designate their location as a “priority area” with no checks on this power, no appeal process or even a plan for oversight or data collection.”

He makes a good point. I'm not aware of any other jurisdiction which has such a scheme. Of course, Montgomery County controls every drop of alcohol sold in the County, so why should this be any different.

How a Soviet-Style Liquor System Survives in One of America’s Richest Counties - Washingtonian

In the last week of 2015, a familiar disaster struck Brickside Food & Drink in Bethesda. The culprit: the Department of Liquor Control. From two days before Christmas until two days before New Year’s Eve, the DLC—an 80-year-old government entity that maintains a monopoly on the county’s alcohol...

www.washingtonian.com

Remember this?: https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/...tores/65-46be6e62-2642-4122-a25a-228c31d6e1ff