The Convenience Store Task Force commenced its work on January 16, 2007 and spent many months researching and evaluating ways to improve the security of convenience stores and their employees and customers. Input was sought and received from all stakeholders. The Task Force concluded that education, interaction, officer presence, and store security improvements are the keys.

The Task Force included independent convenience store owners, members of the major petroleum industry chains, trade association representatives, City of Houston residents not otherwise associated with the convenience store or petroleum industries, representatives of the City of Houston, representatives of Crime Stoppers, and representatives from the Houston Police Department. The Task Force, based upon its research, made several recommendations. First, that a public-private initiative in the form of a standing Convenience Store Advisory Council be launched and sustained by the City of Houston and all stakeholders. The Task Force also recommended that the City of Houston establish within the Houston Police Department a Convenience Store Unit and Positive Interaction Program, increase officer presence, and promote code compliance and review. The final recommendation was that convenience store owners be required to implement several relatively inexpensive measures to reduce crime.

The Standing Convenience Store Council

The process towards making convenience stores safer for everyone has begun. The Standing Advisory Council which was created and charged with Ordinance Proposal and the Registration Packet, will continue to meet as deemed necessary by the Council to discuss ways to improve security in and around convenience stores. The Council will also review and evaluate the effectiveness of current policies.

Registration

All convenience stores located in the City of Houston are required to register online with the Houston Police Department. This will facilitate greater positive interaction between the Houston Police Department and the convenience store community and to improve data tracking concerning crimes around convenience stores. Once a convenience store has successfully registered, they will be provided with a security packet that will include a security training DVD to aid storeowners in training their employees. Storeowners will also be provided with a decal to be displayed at the entrance to the business and a registration certificate.

The Municipal Ordinances include, but are not limited to:

1.) (sec. 28-402) Registration of Convenience Store
All convenience Stores located in the City of Houston are required to register with the Houston police Department.

2.) (sec. 28-403) Employee, Manager, and Supervisor training
All employees, managers, and immediate supervisors are required to view the Training DVD provided in the packet that all stores will receive once they register.

3.) (sec. 28-404) Trespass Affidavit
All Convenience must have a Trespass Affidavit which on file with the Houston Police Department. A copy of this must be posted at the Convenience Store in a place always accessible to the public view.

4.) (sec. 28-405) Security Signs and Height Strip
All Convenience Stores must have “No Loitering” and “No Trespassing” signs in at least two inch lettering or larger, in English and Spanish, posted on the front, sides, and rear of the store. Convenience Stores must also have height strips posted at all public exits.

5.) (sec. 28-406) Unobstructed Visibility
All Convenience Stores shall maintain an unobstructed line of sight allowing a clear view of and from the cash register and sales transaction area through all windows and public access doors. Such windows and doors must be clear of all items that would obstruct a clear view including, but not limited to, tinting, signage, advertisements, shelving, and merchandise. Such unobstructed line of sight must, at a minimum, extend from three feet above the ground to at least six feet above the ground.

6.) (sec. 28-407) Alarm System
All Convenience Stores must have a Silent Panic or Hold-up Alarm System with a valid alarm permit. The Alarm must have at least one panic button hidden from the view of the customer, but within reach of the cash register. All Convenience Stores must have signs or decals posted at entrances and exits indication that such a system is in use.

7.) (sec. 28-408) Drop Safe
All Convenience Stores shall have a drop safe on the premises to keep the amount of cash available to employees to a minimum. The drop safe must be bolted to the floor and may have a time-delay mechanism. A convenience store shall have a cash accountability policy mandating the maximum amounts of cash that can be kept in cash registers and shall have signs or decals posted at all public exits and entrances indicating that employees cannot open the safe and that employees have minimum cash on hand.

8.) (sec. 28-409) Surveillance Camera System.
A convenience store shall have a minimum of two color digital high-resolution surveillance cameras. One camera must have an overall view of the counter/register area and the other camera a view of the main entrance/exit area and both shall display the date and time of the recording. The entrance/exit area camera shall be placed to provide a clear and identifiable full frame of the filmed individual's face. The cameras shall be operated at all times, including hours when the store is not open for business. The owner shall maintain a library of the recorded digital images for not less than 30 days. A convenience store shall have posted at all public exits and entrances signs or decals indicating that surveillance cameras are in use.

For convenience stores in operation on the date this Ordinance was approved, March 26, 2008:

A. Sections 28-407 (alarm system), 28-408 (drop safe), and 28-409 (surveillance camera system) of the Code of Ordinances shall become effective January 1, 2010.

B. Section 28-403 (Training) shall become effective on the ninetieth day following the effective date of this Ordinance.

C. All other Sections shall become effective on the thirtieth day following the effective date of this Ordinance.

For convenience stores not in operation on the date this Ordinance was approved, March 26, 2008:

A. All Sections shall become effective on the thirtieth day next following the date of the passage of this Ordinance.

See Municipal Ordinance Chapter 28, Article 13 for details.