Philadelphia Lawmakers Asking for Better Parking Garage Security

Philadelphia Lawmakers Asking for Better Parking Garage Security

Members of city council are demanding better security after a woman was sexually assaulted inside a Philadelphia parking garage

  • By Matt Holden
  • May 29, 2015

After a woman was beaten and sexually assaulted during broad daylight inside a parking garage, the Philadelphia City Council is demanding better security in parking garages.

City Council President Darrell Clarke says the transition to automated pay kiosks at garages have resulted in less staff, less security and a more dangerous environment. He believes it is a public safety concern.

"This is a case clearly where there should have been some additional surveillance or individuals on the scene and we hope something like this never happens again," said Clarke.

The woman attacked is suing the company that owns the garage, claiming there were not enough cameras and not staff in the garage at the time of the attack.

"If there is a way to do things less expensively they're going to do that. Eliminating employees is the highest cost of operations - that is the case in this particular case and in a number of locations using the kiosks," said Clarke.

The city council plans to draw up legislation requiring privately owned garages to install camera systems which would link to the police department.

About the Author

Matt Holden is an Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media, Inc. He received his MFA and BA in journalism from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He currently writes and edits for Occupational Health & Safety magazine, and Security Today.

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