The exterior of the place known as Pip’s Bar after the fire last week
MARION, Ill.—Marion’s Fire Chief is looking at video from the outside cameras of the Boyton Street Community Center for clues in the fire that destroyed Pip’s Bar.
The center is west of the bar and one of their cameras points toward the bar. Electrical Supply sits between the two buildings. These cameras have been viewed before in regard to a shooting in the parking lot of the bar.
Jerry Pippin, the owner of the bar, was in Florida at the time of the fire.
The question has arisen of: Can the city use the cameras to spy on people going to and from the bar without the patrons’ knowledge? There are signs at the center saying cameras are in use. Business was slow the night of the and they know who the last person was to leave the bar.
Whether this will help with the investigation or not remains to be seen. If an arrest is made, it’s possible that an argument could be put forth by the alleged suspect that the surveillance was conducted/used illegally. Double-edged sword, here. Keep checking back for updates.