By: Joseph L. Kuchie

SOUTH AMBOY – The South Amboy City Council discussed a recommendation from Chief of Police Darren Lavigne for all business owners who have a liquor license to install cameras outside their properties.

The mandatory installation of cameras would help the police with investigations that occur outside places where liquor is sold and prevent crime from occurring in these areas. If the law were to go into effect, the business owners would be required to install the cameras within 18 months.

Similar laws have been put into effect in Newark and surrounding towns to reduce the amount of crime that occurs outside similar public establishments. Business owners who did not comply with the new law in Newark were fined at least $500.

Councilwoman Zusette Dato supported the idea, saying that it made sense to help police investigations and have business owners be responsible for the cost rather than taxpayers. However, councilmen Donald Applegate questioned why it was only being put into businesses with liquor licenses.

“Do gas stations have to have these cameras…Do banks?” Applegate asked. “Anything can get robbed anywhere”

Councilwoman Dato made the point that crimes around properties with liquor licenses were likely higher than where other establishments are located.

“I think the point is if you ask the Chief and he gave his point of view tonight he would say there is a higher incidence where there’s alcohol sold than in other settings,” Dato said.

Councilman Applegate recommended looking into a law enforcement grant that would help these businesses pay for their cameras rather than having them pay all out of pocket. He acknowledged that some businesses were still financially struggling and making them install cameras would only make it worse.

“Would there be any grants out there that we could put cameras all up and down Broadway to take the cost off?” Applegate asked. “You know they are hurting. If there’s something we can do for Broadway that would cover a lot.”

Mayor Fred Henry and Council President Joseph Connors reiterated that the council did not have to make a decision on this at the next council meeting and can take time to go over all the facts. Business Administrator Camille Tooker said it was put on the agenda just to get everyone on the same page.

Councilmen Mickey Gross requested that Chief Lavigne attend the next business meeting so he could present the information that went into this recommendation.

All council members were in attendance for the business meeting. The next city council meeting will be held on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 7:00 p.m.