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PrintCOLUMBIA — Placing security cameras downtown is a good idea, members of the Chamber of Commerce say.
The chamber issued a news release Thursday endorsing the initiative petition, that appears on the April 6 ballot, calling for cameras.
The chamber's board of directors had previously approved a recommendation from the Government Affairs Committee encouraging the City Council to revisit the downtown camera issue, but the request was denied. A group of Columbia citizens later presented the council with a petition to allow citizens to vote on the issue in April.
In the news release, chamber board Chairman Byron Hill urged citizens to support the initiative, which the chamber sees as a crime-fighting tool.
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The average taxpayer should support downtown businesses installing cameras to monitor their properties, as long as the property owners and the businesses foot the bill.
They can always pass any increased expense on to their beloved customers and patrons.
Heck, the bars and clubs could even send a camera surcharge to the parents of the students who frequent these establishments.
As for me, this town should be focusing on bigger issues then trying to market "the District" as hospitality central.
The Chamber could put their (and their members) pocketbook to the cause. What is so special about downtown that it requires cameras? Let the private businesses put them up, with private money, if they feel it is an unsafe area.