PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — Prince George's County council members will discuss two bills impacting public safety. Tuesday, council members Wanika Fisher and Krystal Oriadha will introduce CB-016-2024, or the late-night business safety plan bill.
The bill would require businesses that operate between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. to have a safety plan in place before they could operate in the county, and imposes a civil fine for each day it operates without one. The bill is in its early stages, and could be amended.
Councilmember Fisher says she’s noticed some businesses that are open during these hours are relying on the county police department for security, but she feels they should have their own plan in place instead of using tax payers dollars.
"We had a property owner that wasn't hiring, like police around the West Hyattsville Metro. And now they are after a year. I'd be like, the city of Hyattsville police is just not your personal police force, you're having this issue over and over again, and you're using everybody's money, because everybody pays into the department for your own specific issue," said Fisher.
WUSA9 is also staying on top of the minor teen curfew bill. Councilmembers are set to discuss the bill again during their session. This would allow for business owners to request a teen curfew in their area. Owners would have to get approval from at least one council member and get it signed off by the police chief.
"You put 800 young people together...well, these days, you have to worried as one of them have a gun. We saw that at the Greenbelt Park where someone did have a gun and it was so unexpected...it was just young people trying to be young having a good time," said Council Chair Jolene Ivey.
A council spokesperson said a final vote is expected in May.