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Survey: Most Lynn stores have 'inconvenient' security
By Jill Casey
Friday, April 14, 2006

LYNN - Seventy-percent of the convenience and package stores in the
city are facing non-renewal of their food licenses next month as a
result of a health survey conducted in March.

Ninety-nine stores out of 141 stores surveyed were found to be
in violation of a law passed in December 2004 aimed at reducing the
risk of robberies at convenience stores.

The law was passed after a convenience store clerk was slain
during a pre-dawn robbery in early 2004.

"It's really a safety issue, not anything else," said MaryAnn
O'Connor, director of the health division of the Inspectional
Services Department.

All of the stores that were in violation of the law were advised
by mail last week that food permit applications are due by May 31 and
will not be renewed if the non-compliant stores do not address the
violations.

The law regulates the percentage of window space, 30 percent,
that a storeowner can use to post fliers or advertising.

"I think some of the stores get reimbursements from vendors for
putting up signs in the window," O'Connor said.

The law also states that stores keep their cash registers
visible from the sidewalk, keep all entrances and exits free of
advertisements, keep a sign visible that states the cash register
contains $50 or less and that the safe is not accessible to
employees, and to keep an unobstructed view of the cash register and
the transaction area from the store's main window.

All of the measures are intended to deter a robber from holding
up a store if he or she thinks their actions could be observed from
the street.

There are other aspects of the law that deal with security
cameras and alarm systems, however O'Connor said the Health
Department is focused on the signage requirements. She also said the
Police Department enforces the security aspects of the law.

O'Connor said the department does not plan to fine non-compliant
businesses for not conforming with the law, but the city will deny
applications for license renewal if the regulations are not met.

The crime that sparked City Councilors to enact the law occurred
on February 12, 2004, at the 7-11 convenience store on the corner of
Eastern and Western avenues. Habidou Diallo, 26, was stabbed in the
chest and later died during that early morning robbery.

Lee Womack Jr. was eventually arrested for the crime and later
convicted of first-degree murder.