NORTON SHORES, Mich. – It’s been nearly eight months since Jessica Heeringa disappeared from the Exxon Mobil where she was working.
Monday morning, outside that Norton Shores gas station, a state lawmaker introduced a bill aimed at protecting those who work during nighttime hours.
If passed, the legislation introduced by state representative Collene Lamonte will require gas stations and convenience store owners in the state of Michigan who are open between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., to either install security cameras or schedule two employees to be on staff.
“In her honor, I am calling this bill ‘Jessica’s Law,’” Lamonte said.
On April 26 Heeringa went to work and never came home.
“Countless community members join the search for Jessica in the hope for bringing her back home to her family, but despite all these efforts, we are no closer to knowing what happened to Jessica than we were 7 months ago,” Lamonte said.
A small trace of Jessica’s blood, a sketch of the suspect, along with a surveillance picture of a grey van are the only clues police have, leaving investigators and family to wonder how much closer they could be to finding Jessica had a security camera been in place at the gas station, or had a second employee been on staff with her that night.
“I think if cameras or a second employee would’ve been in place, I think Jessie would still be here today,” said Shelly Heeringa, Jessica’s mother.
The bill is expected to be introduced to the floor Tuesday afternoon.
