CLINTON TOWNSHIP – Business owners in this community of some 100,000 people will be required by Oct. 1 to install and pay for security cameras and surveillance systems after a new ordinance hits the books on April 1.

Surveillance cameras will soon be mandatory at party stores that sell liquor, hotels, banks, pharmacies, gas stations and other businesses with frequent calls to police – all at owners’ expense. Clinton Township will be the first in the state to make cameras mandatory.

The ordinance was developed by Clinton Township police Capt. Richard Maierle. Maierle said about 75 percent of businesses impacted by the requirements are already in compliance. He added not every shop in Clinton Township will have to get cameras.

“We didn’t make this ordinance (to include) the florist, or the breakfast shop, or some little mom and pop business,” Maierle said.

Maierle said he started to explore the idea after the murders of two party store owners were solved with the help of surveillance video. The ordinance goes into effect April 1. Business owners will have until Oct. 1 to comply.

One solution can come from Comcast Business, which is now offering SmartOffice that includes video surveillance. Click here to read related story.