Montgomery County has launched a new application portal for the Late-Night Business Safety Plan Program, following legislation requiring certain late-night establishments to submit safety plans to Montgomery County Police.
County Executive Marc Elrich introduced the Late-Night Business Safety Plan legislation last year after a surge in downtown Silver Spring crime, which included carjackings, robberies, and a fatal shooting in the Wayne Ave. Garage in December 2022 that remains unsolved.
Bill 14-23 applies to businesses that offer on-site consumption of tobacco, food, alcohol, or cannabis. It also applies to businesses that operate between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. or between midnight and 2 a.m. and have had two or more police service calls for serious incidents in the past 12 months.
According to Executive Regulation 004-24 (PDF), which Elrich signed last March, serious incidents include:
- Distribution of narcotics or other controlled dangerous substances;
- A sexual offense in the third or fourth degree under § 3-307 or § 3-308 of the Criminal Law Article of the Maryland Code; or
- A crime of violence as defined in § 14-101 of the Criminal Law Article, including:
- abduction;
- kidnapping;
- manslaughter, except involuntary manslaughter;
- mayhem;
- maiming;
- murder;
- rape;
- robbery;
- human trafficking;
- sexual offense of any degree;
- use of a handgun in the commission of a felony or other crime of violence;
- an attempt to commit any of the crimes described in the preceding bullets of this list;
- assault in the first degree;
- assault against a law enforcement officer or emergency medical services provider in any degree; and
- assault with intent of any type in any degree.
Montgomery County Police has launched a new application portal for the Late-Night Business Safety Plan. This initiative aims to create a secure process for businesses operating in areas with higher than average call volumes during late-night hours.https://t.co/9tptGSXSts#MCPD pic.twitter.com/d1s1TmMcQd
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) September 13, 2024
The following businesses are now required to submit a safety plan within 90 days under the law’s requirements, which took effect on Friday:
- Those holding an “other tobacco products retailer” license, food license, on-site cannabis consumption license, or liquor license with on-site consumption areas;
- Businesses open to patrons between 2 and 5 a.m.; and
- Businesses open to patrons between midnight and 5 a.m. that have experienced two or more serious incidents within the last 12 months.
According to the law, safety plans must include an emergency evacuation plan, 24-hour contact information for the business owner or manager, exterior bathroom doors that can be open at all times, an acknowledgment that the business has received late-night business training from the county, confirmation of compliance with the law, and a statement regarding any resolved or pending citations issued by a government entity within the past three years.
Additionally, the plan may require security personnel and training, exterior lighting, and high-definition security cameras that provide monitoring and recording.
For more information on additional requirements and how to apply, visit the Late-Night Business Safety Plan webpage.
Photo: © mehaniq41 – stock.adobe.com / Montgomery County Graphic