By: Davy James – Staff Writer
The Township Council is discussing a possible ordinance to require new businesses to install video surveillance systems in their parking areas.
At its meeting Tuesday night, the council discussed possible requirements and parameters for the ordinance, which they hope will improve public safety.
"We all know that security is important, but are we imposing more rules that will be detrimental to attracting new business to South Brunswick in these hard economic times?" asked Councilman John O’Sullivan.
Mr. O’Sullivan also expressed concern about introducing "Big Brother" into South Brunswick with the video surveillance requirements, a concern shared by other council members.
"I agree that everyone gets uptight with ‘Big Brother’, and we don’t want to have society constantly being watched," said Mayor Frank Gambatese. "But this is for the safety of the employees, and that’s what we need to look at."
Up for discussion are parameters for how far-reaching the ordinance will be and how much area of the parking lot would need to be covered by the security cameras. The ordinance only would affect new businesses because council members said they didn’t want to impose an additional cost burden on existing businesses in the township.
Also at issue would be the enforcement of the ordinance, which would require police inspection of the systems to make sure new businesses are compliant.
"The intent here is not clearly stated," Councilman Joseph Camarota said. "The Police Department would have to do the assessment and approve each site, and if that’s the case, then we’re adding a burden to the Police Department."
Because businesses typically have security cameras inside their establishments to reduce insurance costs, council members still are discussing how far-reaching they want the security camera requirement to go.
"We don’t want to say to new businesses that you’ll have to point a camera at every parking spot," said Councilman Charles Carley.
The ordinance will come back before the council for further discussion at the next Township Council work session, scheduled for Sept. 7.

