When the sun goes down, Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones says, the calls go up.
“Part of this is us really just trying to address the nightlife that is occurring that is impacting public safety,” Jones said.
In the wake of continuing headlines about violent crime in downtown Silver Spring, Montgomery County officials announced new legislation that requires late night businesses to create a safety plan approved by police.
“This is going to be focused on first and foremost, there has to be issues with the high volume of calls in those what we call police reporting areas,” Jones said.
Marcus Etienne is a DJ at Palisades Lounge in downtown Silver Spring.
“I think it would be a good idea because it would make sure everybody is safe," Etienne said.
Under the new proposal, the police department would ask businesses like bars, restaurants and hookah lounges to take measures that include installing security cameras, adding exterior lighting, hiring security guards and cleaning outside windows.
As the bill is set now, businesses would have to take on the cost themselves, but county officials told 7News there are potential grants to help them pay for the upgrades. Businesses that don't comply could be fined and be forced to shut down.
Jackie Greenbaum owns the Quarry Tavern in Downtown Silver Spring. She says she is against the bill entirely.
“It shifts the responsibility for public safety away from the government to private businesses where it doesn’t belong,” Greenbaum said. “I consider ourselves the victim of street crime, not the cause of it. Our patrons need protection not to be burdened with the job of public safety. We can’t afford it; we shouldn't have to.”
This proposal comes at a time when police are down more than 100 officers in the county. The next hearing on the late-night business safety bill is set for the end of the month.