DeKalb County Rolls Out Groundbreaking Video Surveillance Ordinance at Gas and Service Stations

DECATUR, Ga.— Today, Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson begins ride-a-longs with Code Compliance officers while visiting 248 gas and service stations in unincorporated DeKalb County to ensure compliance with the approved Video Surveillance Ordinance, which requires gas and convenience stores and high-risk businesses to own and operate a video surveillance system.

“With the ongoing violence and crime DeKalb County is experiencing, particularly at gas and service stations, the approval of this ordinance couldn’t be more dire,” said Commissioner Cochran-Johnson. “Our gas and service stations are our No. 1 location for violent crimes and the ordinance will be a valuable tool in deterring crime and serving justice to anyone who engages in criminal activity at a DeKalb gas or service station.”

Initially introduced on Feb. 22, 2021, by Commissioner Cochran-Johnson, the legislation was approved Dec. 14, 2022, and establishes minimum video surveillance standards (VSS) for high-risk businesses for legal purposes and allows DeKalb County to extend those requirements to any business deemed high-risk to ensure public safety.

The ordinance went into effect on June 30, 2023, and all gas and service stations must comply prior to the renewal of their business license.

Key components of the legislation require convenience stores and high-risk businesses must:

• Keep a VSS in continuous operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including outside business hours.
• Meet the minimum standard of 4MP Wi-Fi network cameras that includes digital video recording with 24 frames per second and infrared night vision to ensure clarity.
• Mandatory placement of cameras at registers, points of entry and exit, gas pumps, loading docks, and parking areas.
• Mandatory inspection of new construction plans or a one-time initial inspection of VSS to ensure compliance.
• After the initial inspection, the applicant must submit an annual affidavit with each application for the renewal of a business license that the VSS is operational and in full compliance with the applicable requirements and standards within ordinance.
• Place notice of presence of VSS at the register and on premise to inform the public that the premises are actively monitored.
• A digital video recording must be made available to any peace officer for viewing no later than 72 hours after being requested.
• Mandatory storage of footage for 60 days.
• Footage must display proper date and time.
• VSS capture and lighting must extend no less than 75 feet of the building periphery.

All convenience stores that have video surveillance systems installed must obtain assessment approval from Code Compliance. All convenience stores must be compliant with the provisions upon opening their doors or before the renewal of their business license. To implement the program throughout unincorporated DeKalb six dedicated code compliance officers were hired.

Failure to adhere to the requirements of the ordinance, upon citation by Code Compliance and conviction of the violation in a court of competent jurisdiction, may result in a fine and/or imprisonment.

To read the approved video surveillance system legislation in its entirety, click here.

“I am grateful to the administration and my fellow Board of Commissioners for their support of this legislation,” said Commissioner Cochran-Johnson. “The future of public safety will rely heavily on technology. This Ordinance moves us progressively towards creating minimum standards for best practices that protect the community and put criminals on notice their behavior is monitored.” The Ordinance is being used across the country as model legislation and was moved forward yesterday by the Atlanta City Council's Public Safety Panel for a formal vote before the full council.

For media coverage or to schedule an interview with Commissioner Cochran-Johnson, email jlmanigo@dekalbcountyga.gov or call 470-547-2696.