MOULTRIE, Ga. (WTXL)- The next time Moultrie residents stop to get a drink, they may be under surveillance.
The city's police department is pushing City Council to pass legislation that would require all establishments that serve alcohol to have video cameras.
This would impact bars and restaurants where you can drink the alcohol in the business.
"Several of our on-premise consumption bars already have cameras, and they've been very effective," said City of Moultrie City Manager Peter Dillard. "We want to make it city-wide to give the police any tools to solve any problems that happen."
Since January, the City of Moultrie Police Department has been actively working to get video cameras into all local establishments which serve alcohol.
City council members believe the added surveillance will prevent thefts and other crimes by customers and employees. The council also believes this move will give the police another tool to help solve crimes.
"Things happen in their restaurants and their bars, and it's not their fault, they can't control," said Dillard. "This gives us proof that they've done everything they can do."
According to the City Manager, the council members haven't determined how much the security cameras should cost the establishments yet; however, some local bars believe that this is necessary and could help protect their business.
"I just think it's safe, definitely because we do have alcohol and money out so I think it's safer for us to have cameras than not to have cameras so I think what they're doing is great,' said Touchdown Sports Bar Server Tiffany Gregory.
The city is expected to vote on the ordinance at their next meeting on Tuesday, August 7.
