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Proposed Detroit ordinance would require late night businesses to have cameras

Security camera
MorgueFile
Security camera

A proposed city ordinance looks to increase safety for Detroit businesses that serve customers after 10 p.m.

City Councilman Andre Spivey wants to require those businesses to join Project Green Light. That is an initiative that allows police officers to monitor video camera feeds in real time.

Project Green Light is currently just a voluntary program.

“It won’t end all crime, but just a tool that [Detroit Police Department] could use to help fight crime and to apprehend individuals who may perform a crime,” he said.

Spivey says businesses that don’t have adequate video cameras can expect to spend between $7,000 and $8,000.

He says businesses that can’t afford new cameras can choose to pay for the system in installments over time, or close before 10 p.m.

If city council approves the plan, Spivey says the program would be phased in over time.

“We can’t do the whole city at one time because capacity is not there, so we’re going to ramp it up. And we hope in the meantime that people who want to do it will begin to do it right now,” he said.

Police reports show that businesses that have already joined the project have seen a reduction in crime.

Bryce Huffman was Michigan Radio’s West Michigan Reporter and host of Same Same Different. He is currently a reporter for Bridge Detroit.