Florida City Council Considers Convenience Store Security Ordinance

The Fort Myers City Council has begun discussion of enforcing a city ordinance requiring security guard presence at convenience stores. The ordinance is in place, but is not being enforced at this time.

• By Jessica Davis
• Feb 06, 2019

Fort Myers City Council is considering the enforcement of a city ordinance that could prevent tragedies like the Jan. 23 Sebring Bank shooting from occurring in Fort Myers. The bank shooting, which took place at a Sun Trust bank in Sebring, Fla., left five dead.

According to Wink News, the council has begun discussion of enforcing a city ordinance requiring security guard presence at convenience stores. The ordinance is in place, but is not being enforced at this time.

“Once again, a city ordinance on the books not being enforced,” Councilman Kevin Anderson said. “We need to look into enforcing it.”

The council has also considered applying the ordinance, which currently only covers convenience stores, to other buildings, like apartment complexes.

To mitigate security costs for taxpayers, Councilman Johnny Streets suggested that the city reach out to larger corporations like Publix to see if they will hire security guards for their local stores and parking lots.

“I think it’s a great thing. Security is never a bad thing,” Councilwoman Linda Derr said. “I’d feel better about it. I mean, I’m older. I don’t like to go to a lot of public places. When you go out and about by yourself, you just never know what’s going to happen.”