Bill would require NY businesses to immediately give relevant surveillance footage to police

LONG ISLAND - The "Edeedson 'Joshy' Cine, Transparency Act" would require New York businesses to immediately release surveillance footage relevant to an investigation to the police.

Long Island CVS worker fatally stabbed

The backstory:

The bill, which would amend business law, is related to the recent fatal stabbing of Edeedson Cine, a 23-year-old CVS worker who was stabbed in the chest on Christmas Day.

Cine was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, where he was later pronounced dead.

John Pilaccio, 43, has been accused of the fatal stabbing of Cine, according to a press release from the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.

Police officers arrested Pilaccio in Lindenhurst the next day.

‘Edeedson ’Joshy' Cine Transparency Act'

What we know:

The bill is being sponsored by New York State Assemblymember Kwani O'Pharrow; it can be read in its entirety below:

"We found that there were some issues and some discrepancies when it came to law enforcement accessing the video from the actual crime scene," O’Pharrow told The New York Post.

"It took them at least 18 hours just to get the video, which hindered the investigation."

During a press conference given by Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina, the commissioner stated that, "We do have a person of interest… but unfortunately, as a result of CVS policy… we still have not been given full access to the video that exists inside the store."

Police later confirmed to FOX 5 NY's Jodi Goldberg that they received the surveillance video after Catalina made the aforementioned statement.

Dig deeper:

The bill would amend the state's current business law, requiring businesses that are in possession of "surveillance footage relevant to an ongoing law enforcement investigation into a felony offense believed to have been committed on the premises of such business" to immediately release the footage.

What they're saying:

CVS provided this statement:

"From the moment the Suffolk County Police Department arrived on Christmas night, we provided them with everything they wanted in a timely manner with urgency. The officers were shown the video in the store immediately upon their request and took recordings (see attached photos with timestamps), which we have learned helped them identify the suspect. After, the police department requested multiple hours of video from each of the 30 cameras in our store, we extracted and uploaded overnight, so they had it the next morning. We have been completely cooperative.

We are devastated over the tragic loss of Edeedson. Our thoughts remain with Eddy’s family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. Counseling and support services are available to all store colleagues to help them cope with this senseless tragedy.

The safety of our colleagues, customers and patients is our top priority. Our stores continue to be a safe environment to shop and pick up prescriptions. The person accused of this unprovoked attack is in custody."