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Ogo bill would require CCTVs in businesses
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Posted on Jul 07 2023
Julie Ogo
Rep. Julie Marie A. Ogo (Ind-Rota) has pre-filed a bill that would require businesses in the CNMI to install short circuit cameras in their premises.
Ogo’s House Bill 23-63, or the proposed “CCTV Act of 2023,” was originally introduced by former representative Richard Lizama in 2019, which Ogo discovered during her research to formulate a bill facilitating effective criminal investigation. The bill, however, died without further action, but Ogo strongly agreed with such a measure and felt it was necessary to effectively address criminal activities, especially crimes that impact commercial activities. She, therefore, amended the original version and pre-filed it.
The main features of the proposed bill are as follows: 1) Require all businesses to install color digital short-circuit cameras at access and exit points and at cash-out counters, to be recorded continuously for 24 hours, seven days a week, except open farm fields and mobile vending vehicles and trailers or those that do not have a permanent and stationary place of the business established; 2) recordings are to be kept for 60 days; 3) it mandates the Department of Public Safety to promulgate rules for certification of compliance or extension on installation date to be submitted at the Department of Finance, Licensing Division with new or renewal of business license applications and use fees to establish a subsidy program for businesses that are financially challenged; 4) authorization for police to have access to recordings during a criminal investigation that occurred at the premise and allows, under subpoena, for civil litigants, through their attorneys, access to copies of the recordings; 5) all fees collected will support enforcement operation, subsidy program, and crime prevention programs.
“Anything that will assist law enforcement effectiveness is necessary for a successful flow of commerce on our islands. It is not only for the local businesses but for the safety of our community, including our visitors,” said Ogo. (Saipan Tribune)
