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HYATTSVILLE, Md. – Some companies Prince George’s County they may soon need to beef up their security.

A bill called the Late Night Safety Plan is currently going through the County Council – but there are some objections before it passes.

Councilwoman Krystal Oriadha, who represents District 7, introduced the bill in March.

This week, it was considered in committee and is on its way to a public hearing before a final vote.

The goal, Oriadha said, is to combat a crime wave that is putting the entire community at risk.

“Because a lot of our businesses make money from residents who live here, but they don’t live in these neighborhoods, these communities,” Oriadha said. “As a new mom, I know there is a tangible fear of not getting gas with my baby in the car. I don’t. So the reality is: Should our community have this level of fear? No, we shouldn’t.”

This bill applies to businesses open between midnight and 4 a.m. and includes places like bars, gas stations, convenience stores, laundromats and tobacco shops.

Hundreds of locations in Prince George’s County will be affected.

“We have the full support of the community, thinking it’s really time for businesses to be part of the solution, to invest in security measures that work – because some businesses are already doing it, but this must be on a global scale.” county,” Oriadha said.

Under the bill, businesses must develop a safety plan if they are open between midnight and 4 a.m. – the original legislation called for a time frame of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

This could include anything from additional lighting and surveillance cameras to staff training and adding on-site security.

They must then submit this plan to local law enforcement for review and approval and renew it every three years.

And if they don’t, they can’t operate during those nighttime hours.

Legislation requires plans to be individualized for each business.

“We didn’t want to create a blanket standard, we wanted to give flexibility – it just says that every business that falls into this parameter must submit a plan to the police department for review, and then the police department will approve it,” do recommendations on things they need to adjust,” Oriadha explained.

Places like hospitals, hotels and cinemas are all exempt.

In mid-September, neighboring Montgomery County also began requiring businesses to have a nighttime security plan. The difference is that theirs applies to businesses between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.

The Maryland Restaurant Association and the Maryland Retailers Alliance both asked the Prince George’s County Council to amend the current bill by the same dates.

“We completely understand the intent of ensuring that customers and employees of these businesses have a safe environment overnight,” said Sarah Price of the Maryland Retailers Alliance.

But, she said, they hope the council will be more transparent and provide more clarity to businesses on their expectations going forward.

She added that many of the businesses open at night fill a need within the community.

“Whether it’s individuals coming off third shift and needing something to eat or picking up some essentials on the way home. These businesses – fast food restaurants, convenience stores, even 24-hour pharmacies – are there for a reason. and we want to make sure they’re still able to operate,” Price said.

Some companies have backed away, particularly if asked to provide on-site security, due to this added cost.

Councilmember Oriadha said she hopes the late-night safety plan will be in place by November.

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