5833694 Resolution 21-366, Private Security Camera Incentive Program Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2016

A RESOLUTION

                                                        

21-366

 

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 

January 5, 2016        

 

 

To declare the existence of an emergency with respect to the need to create a rebate program for the installation and registration of a security camera system on the exterior of a building owned or leased as a residence, business, nonprofit, or religious institution, and to establish a special fund to implement the rebate program.

 

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Private Security Camera Incentive Program Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2016”.

 

Sec. 2. (a)  District residents, building owners, businesses, nonprofits, and religious institutions should be encouraged to take proactive steps to guard against criminal activity.

(b) In any criminal investigation, the availability of security camera footage is of significant assistance to law enforcement agencies, both to identify possible suspects and to determine how the crime was committed.

(c) The creation of an incentive program to purchase and install a security camera system and register the system with the Metropolitan Police Department (“MPD”) would increase public safety.

(d) Registering a system will help MPD identify possible sources of video footage following crime in a neighborhood, and will increase the likelihood that, upon request, video footage will be shared with MPD to help identify suspects, shed light on how the crimes were committed, and possibly assist in prosecution.

(e) Even the visible presence of security cameras on the exterior of a building can serve as a deterrent to criminal activity; at the same time, the District government must emphasize that private security cameras under this incentive program are not to be used to intentionally monitor specific individuals conducting lawful activity.

(f) The District’s public safety will immediately benefit from launching a security camera system incentive program.

 

Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia determines that the circumstances enumerated in section 2 constitute emergency circumstances making it necessary that the Private Security Camera Incentive Program Emergency Act of 2016 be adopted after a single reading.

 

Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.