Council accepts $44,000 state grant to support police body-worn camera program

The University Heights City Council voted to accept a $44,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Public Safetys Office of Criminal Justice Services to support the police departments body-worn camera program.

The police chief told the council the program has been in place since about 2016 and that this is the third such grant in four years. The money may be used for hardware, software, training and data storage; the application requires no city match. The chief said the department maintains roughly 35 cameras, and recurring annual costs for storage and support are roughly $700 per camera, or about $25,000 a year, with replacement costs for units as needed.

Councilwoman Sacks moved to accept the award; Councilman King seconded. The motion passed on roll call and the council authorized the acceptance and administration of the grant.

The chief noted the grant close-out period is approximately two years; council members thanked department staff and administrative staff who assisted with the application.