PINE BLUFF, Ark. (KTHV) -- The Pine Bluff City Council passed an ordinance requiring certain businesses to install and maintain surveillance cameras.

The council tabled the issue in November in order to make revisions to address concerns by some of the businesses. Council members hope this new ordinance will help prevent crime.

"It's valuable to save a life. I want to be a part of that, so we can save a life here in the city of Pine Bluff," said Pine Bluff city council member Steven Mays.

Police said in previous council meetings that there had been multiple incidents where non-functioning cameras impaired their investigation.

The shooting death of a convenience clerk back in September prompted the discussion among city leaders about whether or not to require the cameras.

"When we got there we realized that the camera was not functioning right. We knew if the camera was on, we would have a lead to go by," Pine Bluff Assistant Police Chief Ivan Whitfield said. To this day, police don't know the race or gender of the suspect.