The county in Maryland that includes the city of Annapolis is considering a bill that would require shopping centers with at least 15 retailers to install security cameras in their parking lots. The Anne Arundel County Council proposal has raised some criticism from some who say it could hurt business.
The council delayed a vote on the measure June 7 for more input and will likely decide on the proposal on June 20, according to the Baltimore Sun.
The bill was discussed during the council’s June 7 meeting, with Walt Townshend, president and CEO of the Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce, saying the requirement would be costly to businesses and that the bill could force mall tenants to sacrifice space for security equipment.
Councilman Ed Middlebrooks, one of the bill’s four sponsors, responded by saying if malls can have cameras inside to prevent shoplifting, then they should have them outside to protect shoppers.
