Jones County work session narrows draft package‑sales ordinance around camera standards, hours and limits on new stores

Jones County commissioners and sheriff’s staff used a Feb. 18 work session to refine a draft ordinance that would permit package (liquor) sales, focusing on security-camera technical standards, license renewal inspections, hours of sale, store-size minimums and zoning restrictions.

The sheriff’s office proposed putting minimum technical requirements for surveillance systems into the licensing process rather than the ordinance so the county can update specifications as technology advances. "I think his biggest concern was the the surveillance system. Surveillance systems and the hours of operation," said Earl, a representative of the Jones County Sheriff’s Office. Earl read from a draft letter that spelled out specific camera requirements, saying, "All required stores must have a minimum of 1 camera per register located near eye level for facial recognition, 1 camera per customer entrance, and 1 overall security camera inside and out" and suggesting 30 days of stored footage and a minimum frame rate for usable images.

Why it matters: Commissioners said they want enforceable, usable video that helps investigations but does not require the board to update the ordinance every time camera technology changes. The sheriff’s office recommended housing the precise technical spec in a licensing exhibit or renewal…