ATLANTA — The City of Atlanta will now require high-quality video surveillance cameras at gas stations and convenience stores to help stop shootings, robberies, and carjackings.
The council just approved a new ordinance, which focuses on safety where those violent crimes happen the most.
The new ordinance in Atlanta mirrors the one in DeKalb County that went into effect in July.
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Some Atlanta city leaders saw what was passed in DeKalb and wanted to do the same in Atlanta.
Most gas stations and convenience stores in Atlanta have cameras, but some of those cameras may not record, be in poorly lit areas, record video that is too grainy, or just not be connected and unable to capture any images.
The new city ordinance will require cameras to be trained at all gas pumps and gas stations to have an entire video surveillance system.
The ordinance passed unanimously at Monday’s council meeting.
In a statement, council member Andrea Boone said, “Our neighborhoods have experienced the impact of unlawful activities at gas stations, and this is a step to help keep our seniors, children, and patrons safe at the service stations and convenience stores. Once it goes into effect, this legislation can help assist law enforcement in their attempts to curb the activity and hopefully give our residents a sense of comfort.”
Channel 2′s Steve Gehlbach spoke with one Atlanta driver who calls the ordinance a good thing, but says you still have to watch out for yourself, even if cameras are watching.
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“Just being aware of my surroundings altogether. You got to make sure you’re safe at all times,” Teresa Waring said. “It’s more so an aspect of making sure they’re always working. You know, there’s no need to have a deterrent if they’re actually not going to work. But also we have to do our due diligence to make sure we’re taking care of ourselves as well.”
The law in unincorporated DeKalb County affects nearly 250 gas stations and convenience stores.
Atlanta’s ordinance won’t go into effect until 2024.
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