Convenience store law annoys owners

Toledo, OH (WTVG) -- City ordinance would require lighting, parking lot policing and an operating license

City lawmakers wrote an ordinance that may not be enforceable. At least, it won't be enforced for the next 30 days.

The issue involves new a new convenience store ordinance and a lawsuit filed by store owners against the city. Tuesday, at a meeting between the two sides, the city announced it will take a fresh look at the law.

Toledo wants to crack down on convenience stores that seem to attract crime. So city council passed an ordinance requiring all convenience stores to pay for an operating license, upgrade their security camera system and police their parking lots.

Scott Ciolek represents roughly 150 store owners who are opposed to the ordinace. He and about 20 store owners met with city attorneys yesterday.

Store owners say if the city demands an upgrade to their camera systems, for instance, they will sue the city for reimbursement. Ciolek says, "I think it would probably cost them about $10,000 on average for every store that puts in a security system."

And store owners say policing their own parking lots is unworkable because they do have not police immunities, protections or authority.

For now, the city is looking over the ordinance and will not enforce it right now. The city also could decide to repeal the law or seek a compromise.

There may be a meeting with city council people and convenience store owner leaders to see if they can find some sort of common ground. That common ground would likely be some sort of financial help to put in the security system or taking out certain requirments, like policing their own parking lots, or even taking out the $250 licensing fee.

City attorneys were not available for comment today, but the two sides could get together again next week.

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