RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Ohio — Richmond Heights will soon have more eyes on the ground across the city after a new ordinance passed last week requiring business to install video surveillance systems within the next six months.
"Entrances, exits, the immediate parking area, things like that," Police Chief Calvin Williams said. "Whenever there are eyes and ears, criminals don't want to be around that."
Williams, formerly Cleveland's police chief, tells 3News the new legislation is similar to another city ordinance that went into effect in 2021. That ordinance requires apartment complexes to have a security camera at every exit and entrance, and he claims those cameras have already played a role in solving crime.
The latest ordinance now requires a video surveillance system at every bank, hotel, and retail business. If a crime occurs, the business must "immediately" contact police and provide them "immediate access" to the video.
"If I'm a business owner in a city — whether it's Richmond Heights or any place else — and something happens and some[one] either does a criminal act at my business, vandalizes my business, a customer has an issue that could border on criminal, I'd like that additional layer of, 'Well we can take a look at the video itself,'" Williams explained.
Ray Rached's car shop Done Right Automotive has been on the corner of Highland and Richmond Roads fixing mostly foreign vehicles for 14 years. During that time, he has installed cameras, but crime hasn't been much of a concern.
"My system is about eight years old, and most of the time it doesn't really work very well like I want it," Rached admitted.
Williams says many of the businesses in Richmond Heights already have cameras in place, but the ordinance requires the system to meet certain criteria, including having HD cameras. They must also run 24/7, the video must be available to view, and the system needs to be able to store video up to 30 days.
Rached supports putting cameras up, as long as it doesn't turn into a financial burden for small business owners. The city says all businesses would have to pay for the system themselves.
"I mean, it's a good thing if people can afford it, of course," Rached said. "Make the city safer, less crime, and this is perfect."
"It's worth the investment, yes," Kal Rousan, owner of Highland Food Mart, concurred. "Absolutely."
Rousan has cameras in place already, including one on the outside of his front entrance. He'd like to purchase more, but how much it costs depends on the size of the business and number of exits and entrances, Rousan says he can expect to spend a couple thousand dollars on his surveillance system.
"Sometimes, you know, you have some problems happen," he added. "That would be good to have some evidence for the community, actually, and for the police."
Williams says it's about adding another layer of security for those businesses and providing a tool to investigate potential criminal activity.
The ordinance also gives the chief authority to check the placement of cameras and ensure businesses are in compliance. A business out of compliance could receive a notice of violation, and if they are still not complying after 30 days, they could receive a fine of up to $500.