STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Safety
AGENDA DATE: September 9, 2020
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Police Department
EXECUTIVE: Jon Fortune
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SUBJECT
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An ordinance amending Chapter 6A, “Amusement Centers,” and Chapter 12B, “Convenience Stores,” of the Dallas City Code by amending Section 6A-1 and adding Section 12B-21; (1) clarifying the definition of coin-operated amusement device; prohibiting coin-operated amusement devices in convenience stores; (2) providing a penalty not to exceed $500.00; (3) providing a saving clause; providing a severability clause; and (4) providing an effective date - Financing: No cost consideration to the City
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BACKGROUND
Convenience stores are highly used retail businesses with a primary emphasis on providing the public with convenient locations to quickly purchase a wide array of consumer products, such as basic food, household, tobacco products, and pharmaceutical items. As a result, these stores, and its consumers, are especially vulnerable to victimization - especially those stores that have large amounts of cash, low security, and few staff and customers likely to resist. The purpose of Chapter 12B is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the city of Dallas by reducing the occurrence of crime, preventing the escalation of crime, and increasing the successful prosecution of crime that occurs in convenience stores in the City. To accomplish this purpose, Chapter 12B establishes a registration program for convenience stores and provides requirements relating to surveillance camera systems, video recording and storage systems, alarm systems, drop safes, security signs, height markers, store visibility, safety training programs, and trespass affidavit.
Coin-operated amusement devices contribute to criminal activity at these locations. Convenience stores that operate these devices can have a deleterious effect on both the existing businesses around them and the surrounding residential areas, causing increased crime, such as gambling, theft, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, burglary, and narcotics offenses. To protect the health, safety, and welfare of Dallas residents, the proposed amendment aims to reduce crime at and around convenience store properties by prohibiting coin-operated amusement devices, including eight-liner machines, in convenience stores.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The Public Safety Committee was briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on August 10, 2020.
FISCAL INFORMATION
No cost consideration to the City.