Title
Amending Title10 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Individual Conduct and Activity" requiring the retention of video surveillance tapes in commercial businesses for thirty days after use of those tapes and regulating the quality of tapes.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Title 10 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Individual Conduct and Activity" is hereby amended to read:
TITLE 10. REGULATION OF INDIVIDUAL CONDUCT AND ACTIVITY
Chapter 10-1700. Use of Surveillance Tapes in Commercial Businesses.
§10-1701. Legislative Findings.
The Council of the City of Philadelphia hereby finds:
(1) The Police Department may from time to time utilize the tapes of video surveillance systems in public places to assist in the investigation of a crime;
(2) Many times, because of overuse and low quality, the tapes are grainy and not useable by law enforcement;
(3) It is the intent of this section to require the retention of surveillance tapes and that those tapes be of a kind and quality determined by the department through regulation.
§10-1702. Definitions.
In this Chapter, the following definitions apply:
(1) Department - The Police Department of the City of Philadelphia
(2) Business- For the purpose of this Ordinance the definition of business in Chapter 19 Finance, Taxes, and Collections, Section 19-2600 Business Privilege Taxes shall apply.
(3) Video Surveillance System - Any video recording system utilized by a business for the purpose of:
(a) Monitoring and maintaining security; or
(b) Preventing theft or criminal activity within that store.
§10-1703. Requirements.
(1) All businesses utilizing video surveillance systems shall maintain and not recycle surveillance videotapes from that system for a period of thirty days after their initial use or for a period determined by the department.
(2) The department may through regulation require bu...
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