Picard's Bill For Night Deposit Box Cameras Passes Senate

The RI Senate approved a bill Tuesday sponsored by Sen. Roger A. Picard (D-Woonsocket, Cumberland) requiring security cameras at bank night deposit boxes.

According to a release from the senator's office, bill 2012-S 2072 would require all financial institutions and credit unions in the state to install and maintain cameras that record their night deposit areas.

“This is a relatively simple measure that can be taken to help protect people who have to make after-hours deposits,” said Picard, “Those boxes are frequently used by managers of businesses who have to make large deposits, and any banks that haven’t already placed security cameras there to help protect them should do so.”

The need for the law was brought to Picard’s attention after Main, 49, was robbed and fatally shot on his way into a Citizen’s Bank branch on Diamond Hill Road, in September 2010. Main was the manager of a Shell gas station and was on his way to make a deposit from that business.

The man charged with Main's murder, Jason Pleau, is the now subject of a struggle between federal authorities and Gov. Lincoln Chafee, who has declined to relinquish Pleau from state to federal custody, since he could face the death penalty under federal law.

“While security cameras won’t stop all criminals, they will discourage some by increasing the likelihood they’ll be identified and convicted,” Picard said.

The bill will now go to the House of Representatives, where Rep. Donald J. Lally (D-Dist. 33, Narragansett, South Kingstown, North Kingstown) is sponsoring identical legislation (2012-H 7587).