Retailers Criticize Madison Security Mandate

The businesses say the one-size-fits-all approach the Wisconsin city council is proposing is counterproductive.

November 29, 2017

MADISON, Wis. – Earlier this month, Madison Mayor Paul Soglin proposed security measures aimed at improving safety in city convenience stores, but retailers and business groups have countered that the proposal’s one-size-fits-all approach won’t help reduce crime, the Wisconsin Watchdog reports.

The Public Safety Review Committee is now reviewing the proposal, which dictates placement and aim of cameras, as well as the picture quality. Violations could cost retailers between $200 to $750.

Brandon Scholz, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association, said such measures don’t take into account the individual security needs each store has. “This is a reaction by the mayor because there have been incidents in convenience store parking lots,” he said. “I think the better option here is for the police department to work with individual store owners, especially in areas where they think we have problems.”

Scholz also pointed out the proposal appears to target convenience stores with gas pumps. Under the measure, cameras would have to cover the counter/register areas, entrances/exits, and all areas around gas pumps. “We’ve opposed it even though almost everybody (in the grocery store business) has got a camera,” he said.

Jeff Lenard, NACS vice president of strategic industry initiatives, pointed out that security experts usually offer two effective strategies for reducing crime at convenience stores: secure money management practices and improved lighting and visibility. “When your store is like a submarine, and you can’t see in or out, that is a welcome sign for criminals,” he said. “I think that we’re all aligned that security is critical,” he said, but added that the cost of installing such camera security systems would be passed on to customers.

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