La Porte council approves ordinance requiring security cameras for late-night alcohol retailers

The La Porte Common Council on March 16 approved an ordinance that requires retail alcohol permit holders who operate after 11 p.m. to maintain security cameras on their premises.

Councilwoman Ficus, who presented the ordinance at second reading, said the rule was written "to keep the public safe, to keep even the establishment owner safe, our police safe." The council moved, seconded and voted 'Aye' on the ordinance at the same meeting.

Supporters on the council described the measure as a narrow public-safety step intended to reduce late-night incidents and to give law enforcement and business owners better tools for incident review. "It only takes one time," the presiding officer said in explaining the rationale for requiring cameras.

The ordinance was read for the second time by title and voted on the same evening. Council members said the requirement aims to protect residents and employees in late-night establishments; no enforcement details or penalties beyond the ordinance title were discussed in the reading. The hearing record does not include an amendment to the ordinance text.

The council's action followed routine committee review and a council motion and passed by recorded voice vote. The ordinance will be enforced per the city's standard permitting and code-enforcement processes; the meeting did not specify an implementation date.

The council adjourned without further action on this item.