Title
AN ACT CONCERNING LATE-NIGHT BUSINESS SAFETY PLAN for the purpose of requiring certain businesses that operate between 12:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. to obtain a late-night safety plan from the Prince George’s County Police Department; that requires the business to obtain an approved late-night safety plan before operating; that the business must operate under the terms of the approved late-night safety plan; that an approved late-night safety plan authorizes the business to operate for three (3) years; that at the expiration of the three (3) period the business will need to obtain a new approved late-night safety plan; and that businesses operating without an approved late-night safety plan are subject in a civil fine for each day it operates without an approved late-night safety plan.
Background
This bill will require businesses that operate during the hours of 10:00 p.m. through 6:00 a.m. to obtain a late-night business safety plan from the Prince George’s County Police Department before it (i.e. business) can operate within the County. Some Businesses that operate during these late-night hours present additional safety concerns for law enforcement and the neighboring communities. Neither the taxpayers (i.e. law enforcement) nor the neighboring communities should bear the entire cost associated with ensuring the safety of the business(es)’ patrons and members of the community. Since the business(es)’ commercial activity(ies) may, in part, be the cause of the increase safety concerns it (i.e. business) should bear some the responsibility for ensuring the safety of its patrons. Section 302, Article III of the Prince George's County Charter vests in the County Council general police powers.
"The power of a political subdivision of this State to enact laws depends on the extent to which the Maryland General Assembly has delegated to it its legislative powers which are plenary, except as limited by constitutional provisions. Accordingly, Baltimore Count...
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