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 businesses to use a type or quality of videotape for the purpose of meeting the requirements of this Ordinance.
§10-1704. Penalties.
(1) The penalty for violating the provisions of 10-1703 (1) and 10-1703 (2) shall be a minimum fine of twenty- five dollars ($25.00).
(2) Each day a violation continues or is allowed to continue shall constitute a separate offense for which a separate penalty may be imposed.
§10-1705. Severability.
(1) If any provision or application of this Chapter is held invalid the remainder of the Chapter and all other applications shall not be affected thereby.
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Explanation:
Itallics indicate new matter added