201 East Main Street Tavares, Florida 32778. Privacy, Disclaimer & Terms. (c) 2005-2007 City of Tavares. All Rights Reserved.
Safe Business - Convenience Stores
The Convenience Business Security Act
The Convenience Business Security Act requires that certain security devices and standards be established at all convenience businesses open any time between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. The Act, which is contained in sections 812.1701-812.175, Florida Statutes, places enforcement authority within the Office of the Attorney General. Violations of the law may result in civil penalties of up to $5,000.00.
Under the Act, a convenience business is defined as one that:
Is primarily engaged in the sale of groceries, or both groceries and gasoline; and
Is open for business during any hours between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Excluded from the Act are businesses that:
Are solely or primarily in the restaurant business; or
Have five or more employees on the premises between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.; or
Have more than 10,000 square feet of retail floor space; or
Have the owner or a member of the owner's immediate family (spouse, mother, father, brother, sister or child) working on the premises between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Minimum Security Standards
Training in robbery deterrence and safety for each employee, conducted through an approved curriculum
Drop safe or cash management device that is secured to the floor or counter or that weighs at least 500 pounds
Lighted parking lot
Notice at the entrance that the cash register contains $50.00 or less
Height markers at the entrance
Window sign placement allowing an unobstructed view of the sales transaction area from inside and outside the building
Window tinting that allows for physical identification of all persons in the sales transaction area from outside the building
A written cash management policy, kept on-site, that limits cash on hand between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
A security camera system that is capable of retrieving an identifiable image of an offender, including an annual test photo and a maintenance log showing maintenance every four months
A silent alarm
Additional security measures, if required (see below)
Additional security measures are required when:
Convenience businesses at which a murder, robbery, sexual battery, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, kidnapping or false imprisonment has occurred in connection with the operation of the business must have one of the following additional security measures in place between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.:
At least two employees on the premises at all times
A secured safety enclosure made of transparent polycarbonate
A security guard or off duty law enforcement officer on the premises
Locked premises with business conducted through an indirect pass-through, trap door or window
The additional security requirements must be in place for a minimum of 24 months after the date of the most recent crime. After 24 months, the convenience business may file a notice of exemption with the Office of the Attorney General.
For More Information:
For more specific information on the Convenience Business Security Act, call Bureau of Criminal Justice Programs at (850) 414-3360 or write to:
Convenience Business Security Act
Office of the Attorney General
Criminal Justice Programs
PL-01, The Capitol
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1050
The Convenience Business Security Act requires that certain security devices and standards be established at all convenience businesses open any time between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. The Act, which is contained in sections 812.1701-812.175, Florida Statutes, places enforcement authority within the Office of the Attorney General. Violations of the law may result in civil penalties of up to $5,000.00.
Under the Act, a convenience business is defined as one that:
Is primarily engaged in the sale of groceries, or both groceries and gasoline; and
Is open for business during any hours between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Excluded from the Act are businesses that:
Are solely or primarily in the restaurant business; or
Have five or more employees on the premises between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.; or
Have more than 10,000 square feet of retail floor space; or
Have the owner or a member of the owner's immediate family (spouse, mother, father, brother, sister or child) working on the premises between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Minimum Security Standards
Training in robbery deterrence and safety for each employee, conducted through an approved curriculum
Drop safe or cash management device that is secured to the floor or counter or that weighs at least 500 pounds
Lighted parking lot
Notice at the entrance that the cash register contains $50.00 or less
Height markers at the entrance
Window sign placement allowing an unobstructed view of the sales transaction area from inside and outside the building
Window tinting that allows for physical identification of all persons in the sales transaction area from outside the building
A written cash management policy, kept on-site, that limits cash on hand between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
A security camera system that is capable of retrieving an identifiable image of an offender, including an annual test photo and a maintenance log showing maintenance every four months
A silent alarm
Additional security measures, if required (see below)
Additional security measures are required when:
Convenience businesses at which a murder, robbery, sexual battery, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, kidnapping or false imprisonment has occurred in connection with the operation of the business must have one of the following additional security measures in place between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.:
At least two employees on the premises at all times
A secured safety enclosure made of transparent polycarbonate
A security guard or off duty law enforcement officer on the premises
Locked premises with business conducted through an indirect pass-through, trap door or window
The additional security requirements must be in place for a minimum of 24 months after the date of the most recent crime. After 24 months, the convenience business may file a notice of exemption with the Office of the Attorney General.
For More Information:
For more specific information on the Convenience Business Security Act, call Bureau of Criminal Justice Programs at (850) 414-3360 or write to:
Convenience Business Security Act
Office of the Attorney General
Criminal Justice Programs
PL-01, The Capitol
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1050