“The original draft would have applied to all [liquor] establishments. [But] that was certainly amendable for it to deal with problem establishments.” – Robert Bauman, District 4 alderman

A proposed city ordinance requiring liquor establishments to install digital security cameras did not pass through the License Committee in early October, but is being reviewed by a task force from the tavern and club industry for later discussion.

District 4 Ald. Robert Bauman originally proposed the ordinance after experiencing huge problems at bars and nightclubs in his district that includes parts of Water Street.

He said he was especially concerned about two July homicides outside of Visions nightclub on Old World 3rd Street, where he said he is almost certain they didn’t have security cameras.

Bauman said while the majority of establishments do have cameras, the ordinance’s goal was “to improve safety and security” for those that do not.

But there was controversy when the ordinance went before the License Committee.

According to Vice Chair of the License Committee Ald. James Bohl, the proposed ordinance was never meant to pass through the committee.

“All it was was a public hearing as a single gathering session to get feedback.”

Bohl suggested it could be combined with ordinance 80-10 dealing with nuisance properties, which are defined as generating more than three calls to the police for nuisance activities. The ordinance states these establishments have “received more than the level of general and adequate police service and have placed an undue and inappropriate burden on the taxpayers of the city.”

Currently the ordinance requires owners to pay the cost of addressing the violations, but could incorporate the security camera issue in the future.

“[It] seeks to target establishments that use or abuse police services,” Bohl said. “It targets those that are having problems and it doesn’t single out the corner bar.”

However, Bauman said there have been incidents at small bars and doesn’t want to rule out adding security cameras to smaller establishments.

Bruce Scott, Milwaukee Police Department District 5 liaison officer, said he couldn’t say whether he is for or against the security camera proposal but said cameras can be a useful tool for looking into crimes.

“Naturally if there is a pictorial image, yes, it does aid us in investigation,” Scott said.

But bars have mixed opinions on the proposed ordinance.

A bartender and waitress from McGillycuddy’s said the security cameras they have on every floor of the bar are a “security blanket.”

“It curves [crime] a lot. I’ve been here three years, and we haven’t had any big issues,” the waitress said.

A manager from Axel’s, however, said they have security cameras but the government shouldn’t be involved in regulations.

After the issue is reviewed by the tavern and club industry the amended proposal will likely be passed back to the License Committee, Bauman said. If passed, it will go on to the full Common Council for a final decision.

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