In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
“Director” means the Director of Finance or the Director’s designee.
“Program” means the Private Security Camera System Rebate and Voucher Program established by this subtitle.
“Security camera system” or “system” means one or more outdoor surveillance cameras with functioning digital video recording capability.
“Small business” means an individual, a partnership, a limited partnership, a limited liability partnership, a limited liability company, or a corporation that:is independently owned and operated;
is not a subsidiary of another entity; and
in its most recently completed fiscal year, did not employ in its operations more than 25 individuals.
Ord. 20-355
Ord. 22-125
There is a Private Security Camera System Rebate and Voucher Program.
The purpose of the program is to encourage the purchase and installation of security camera systems in Baltimore City.
To ensure that the Program is administered in the most equitable manner possible, the Director shall:comply with the priority requirements set forth in this subtitle; and
subject to an appropriation of funds in accordance with <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter">the City Charter</cite>, process and distribute vouchers to voucher-eligible applicants prior to disbursing any rebates to rebate-eligible applicants.
Ord. 20-355
To be eligible for a rebate under this subtitle, a property owner or lessee shall:
on or after June 1, 2020, purchase and install a system on the exterior of a dwelling or small business;
register the system with the Citiwatch Community Partnership; and
submit a rebate application to the Director as required by <cite data-path="|5|§14-5">§ 14-5 {“Rebate application”} of this subtitle</cite>.
Ord. 20-355
In order to be eligible to receive a rebate under this subtitle, a person must submit an application to the Director.
The application must be in the form and contain the information that the Director requires, including:the applicant’s name;
the address where the system is located and whether the property is primarily used as a residence or as a small business;
a proof-of-purchase for the system that indicates the date of purchase and the amount paid for the system;
verification that the system is registered with the Citiwatch Community Partnership; and
a signed statement that the applicant agrees to have the system oriented towards a specified public right-of-way for at least 2 years.
A residential applicant may submit a rebate application for 2 systems.
A small business applicant may submit an rebate application for up to 3 systems.
Notwithstanding the application limits set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, a person may submit a rebate application for 1 additional system for a property that has already received a rebate every 2 years from the original rebate date.
Ord. 20-355
On approval of a rebate application submitted in accordance with <cite data-path="|5|§14-5">§ 14-5 {“Rebate application”} of this subtitle</cite>, the Director shall provide a rebate of the lesser of $150 or the actual cost of the system.
The Director may adjust rebate amounts based on:whether the property is located in an area with a high number of incidents of violent crime, as determined in consultation with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice;
whether the property is located in an area where the median household income is at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level, as measured by the most recent 5-year estimate of the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey;
whether the applicant has received a rebate for any property under this subtitle from the City in a prior year; and
the availability of funds.
Availability of rebates is subject to the appropriation of funds in accordance with <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter">the City Charter</cite>.
A rebate may not exceed the actual cost of a system as indicated on the proof-of-purchase submitted with the application.
Rebates are contingent on the availability of funds and the application’s priority under subsection (c) of this section.
To ensure that rebates are disbursed in an equitable manner and in a manner that best serves the City’s interest in improving public safety, the Director shall prioritize rebate recipients based on:incidents of violent crime in the vicinity of an applicant’s property, with areas with the highest incidents of violent crime receiving the highest priority;
median household income in the vicinity of an applicant’s property, with areas, with the lowest median income receiving the highest priority; and
whether the applicant has received a rebate for any property from the City in a prior year.
Ord. 20-355
In this section, “public assistance” means money, property, food stamps, or other assistance that is provided under a need-based social or nutritional program that is:financed wholly or partly by the State; and
administered by the State or Baltimore City.
To be eligible for a voucher under this section, a property owner or lessee shall:submit an application to the Director in the form that the Director requires; and
provide the Director with proof of receipt of public assistance.
After a determination that an applicant is eligible under this section, the Director shall distribute a voucher to the applicant for the purchase and installation of 1 security camera system.
A voucher under this section may not exceed the amount for a rebate claim under <cite data-path="|5|§14-6">§ 14-6 {“Rebate amount”} of this subtitle</cite>.
Availability of vouchers is subject to the appropriation of funds in accordance with <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter">the City Charter</cite>.
The Director may prioritize the distribution of vouchers based on whether the applicant’s property is located in an area with a high number of incidents of violent crime as determined through consultation with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice.
Ord. 20-355
Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the <cite data-path="|general">City General Provisions Article</cite> and the requirements in this section, the Director shall adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this subtitle, including:the requirements for proofs of purchase and system verification;
procedures for verifying that a system is registered with the Citiwatch Community Partnership, including a certification from any rebate recipient providing that the recipient may not use the system to intentionally record specific individuals conducting lawful activity;
in collaboration with the Department of Planning and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, identification of priority areas for rebates based on violent crime indicators and socio-economic status as required by <cite data-path="|5|§14-6">§ 14-6 {“Rebate amount”} of this subtitle</cite>;
procedures for participating in the voucher program established by <cite data-path="|5|§14-8">§ 14-8 {“Vouchers”} of this subtitle</cite>; and
in consultation with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, identification of priority areas for vouchers based on violent crime indicators as required by <cite data-path="|5|§14-8|(d)">§ 14-8(d) {“Vouchers: Distribution”} of this subtitle</cite>.
In developing the regulations required by this section and any subsequent amendments, the Director shall collaborate with the Department of Planning and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice.
Every 2 years from the date of initial adoption of the rules and regulations required by this section, the Director shall conduct a review of those rules and regulations and update them as necessary.
Ord. 20-355
Text Conformed 02/14/21
By authority of Ordinance 20-431, Section 5, the Director of Legislative Reference, in consultation with the Law Department, has conformed the text of this section to refer to and reflect the requirements of the recently-enacted Administrative Procedure Act that, effective January 15, 2021, governs the proposal, adoption, and publication of administrative rules and regulations.
No later than June 30 of each year, the Director shall prepare and submit a report to the Mayor and City Council detailing data regarding the Program from the preceding year, including:
the number of rebate and voucher applications received;
the amount of rebates disbursed and vouchers distributed; and
aggregate data regarding:which neighborhoods are applying for rebates and vouchers; and
which neighborhoods are receiving rebates and vouchers.
Ord. 20-355
Any person who knowingly makes a false statement on or in connection with an application for a rebate or a voucher under this section or in connection with any statement supporting a property’s eligibility for a rebate or a voucher granted under this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment for not more than 12 months or to both fine and imprisonment for each offense.
Ord. 20-355