Philly councilman proposes requiring cameras on bars, restaurants that serve alcohol

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Councilman Curtis Jones

Councilman Curtis Jones (Tom MacDonald/WHYY)

All Philadelphia taverns and other establishments serving alcohol could be required to have exterior cameras if a city councilman’s proposal comes to pass. 

Councilman Curtis Jones said a camera monitoring the exterior of the bar where Shane Montgomery was last seen alive couldn’t have saved the 21-year-old who apparently fell into the Manayunk Canal late last year.

But a video recording could have helped answer many questions during the weeks of investigation into Montgomery’s disappearance, he said. His body was eventually found in the Schuylkill River.

“You could have found out who he left with, you can find out if he came back,” Jones said Thursday. “There were all kind rumors that had to be chased down that could have been verified with the simple installation of a camera.”

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Jones noted that the city helps underwrite camera installation if business owners agree to provide the video for use in police investigations.

The bill should be ready by next week’s city council meeting, he said.

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