The murder of Sgt. Chris Reyka outside a convenience store last August has county commissioners exploring regulations that require security surveillance in commercial parking lots. The proposal, drawn up by Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion, will be the subject of a public hearing at 2 p.m. Aug. 12, two days after the anniversary of Reyka's shooting. The hearing will be in the Governmental Center in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Retail businesses would be required to maintain round-the-clock video surveillance and adequate lighting of their parking lot.
"Here's an individual who gave his life, was ambushed literally, and had there been cameras in that area we would have had more information to help law enforcement track his killer down," Eggelletion said.
Reyka was shot and killed while checking on two suspicious vehicles in a convenience store parking lot in Pompano Beach. Eggelletion also cited the murder of a mother and her child inside their vehicle at the Boca Raton's Town Center Mall last year. No arrests have been made in either crime.
Broward commissioners have requested additional information to assess how many businesses already provide this type of security. They also want an analysis to determine the economic impact that the ordinance may have on small businesses.
