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Mandatory 24/7 outdoor security cameras system to all businesses in Florida by Broward Sheriff office.

Broward retailers will square off against the Broward County Commission this week over a proposed ordinance that would require all retail businesses to install 24/7 outdoor security cameras.

The proposal comes in the wake of the murder of Broward Sheriff's Office Deputy Chris

Reyka last year, who was shot to death in the parking lot of a Pompano Beach Walgreen's.  The case remains unsolved.

Proponents of the law say it will give police more leads in cases like Reyka's slaying -- where authorities do not have any video evidence of the crime -- and deter criminals. The business group Florida Retail Federation said the law won't be effective at reducing crime and will stifle business with excessive costs.

The Federation is trying to mobilize its members to make a strong showing at a public board hearing scheduled for 2 p.m. on Aug. 12.

Originally proposed in January, the ordinance is sponsored by Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion. A similar law was proposed in the state legislature but did not pass this year.

The county estimates the ordinance would affect 10,000 Broward businesses. They would have to install security cameras that would run 24/7 and have recordings retrievable for 30 days. The ordinance also mandates a new standard for parking-lot lighting, but Eggelletion said Monday he plans to remove that section of the proposal and just push for the cameras.

Businesses that don't install the cameras would be fined $500. The county's cost for enforcing the rules would be made up with licensing fees paid by the businesses.

By making all retailers responsible for all parking areas with no limits, the ordinance imposes an unreasonable burden, said Samantha Hunter Padgett, spokeswoman for the Federation. ''It's very vague and overbroad,'' she said.

''It would be very, very expensive for all retailers,'' she said, citing the cost of installing multiple cameras and storing hundreds of hours of tape. On top of that, she said, there's no way to know whether cameras will even deter crime.

Eggelletion disagreed. ''What's it gonna cost them -- well, what does it cost Sgt. Reyka's family?'' he said. He insisted that costs will be minimal and more than offset by gains in capturing criminals. Eggelletion also pointed out that almost every store has cameras inside, so the infrastructure for more is already in place.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida said it is concerned by the fact that videos have to be stored and that there are no penalties for misusing them.

The organization said the proposal essentially places the whole county under surveillance.

''Who will have access to the videos? How will the Commission make sure that Broward citizens don't end up on YouTube?'' asked Howard Simon, executive director of the Florida ACLU.

Eggelletion said the cameras are worth it because they will scare away criminals afraid of their faces being recorded.

And if the crooks wear masks, then, Eggelletion said, at least their cars can be filmed.