The Prince George’s County Council discussed a bill Tuesday that would require businesses that operate overnight in the county to implement a safety plan for night hours.

The bill would require many county businesses that operate from 12 to 4 a.m. to outline an emergency evacuation plan and receive late-night safety training, along with other recommendations by Prince George’s County Police. The bill was first presented to the council in March.

Under the proposed bill, PGPD would evaluate the specific security needs of each business. The additional recommendations could require businesses to increase security on or around the business, improve exterior lighting and install security cameras.

District 7 council member Krystal Oriadha, one of the bill’s sponsors, said during Tuesday’s meeting that the bill can improve accountability across the county. The bill is especially important after a recent surge of violent crime in her district, she added.

“This legislation just allows [businesses] to work hand in hand with our police department to look at the strategies to make their businesses safer and implement them,” Oriadha said.

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District 2 council member Wanika Fisher, the bill’s other sponsor, told The Diamondback in September that the latest bill is part of a broader council effort to improve public safety in the county.

“Public safety is a major focus for us here in the county,” Fisher said in September. “It’s what a lot of our residents are paying attention [to].”

During Tuesday’s meeting, some community members criticized the bill and hoped the county’s plan would align more closely with similar legislation in Montgomery County’s legislation.

Montgomery County currently requires that businesses open from 2 to 5 a.m. submit a safety plan, according to information published by Montgomery County Police. The law also applies to businesses with an “other tobacco products retailer” license, food license, on-site cannabis consumption license or liquor license with spaces to consume alcohol, according to the department’s website.

Businesses open from 12 to 5 a.m. that have experienced two or more “serious incidents” within the past year are also required to submit a safety plan, according to the department.

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Brendan Mahoney, a representative from the advocacy group Restaurant Association of Maryland, said during the meeting that modifying the legislation to mimic Montgomery County’s plan would help the bill focus more on businesses that have experienced late-night safety issues.

Altering the bill will also lead to regional consistency, Mahoney said.

Fisher said Prince George’s County’s bill is different because the county has unique time and safety concerns.

“I think that this is a good way forward,” Fisher said. “Nobody ever likes any
bill that makes them do something different.”