Orrville council places four-year Verkada camera licensing agreement on first reading after police praise system

The Orrville City Council on Jan. 21 voted to place on first reading a resolution authorizing the Board of Control to enter a four-year, no-bid licensing and maintenance agreement with Proline Technology for the citywide Verkada public-safety camera system. Councilmember Squirrell made the motion and Councilmember Shanklin seconded; the motion passed by voice vote with "ayes all."

Chief of Police Seiler described the Verkada system as a "game changer," saying it has helped the department solve roughly 65 crimes, recover license-plate information for suspects and aid in locating missing children. "It is not for issuing tickets for running red lights," Chief Seiler said, adding the system helped in at least one armed-robbery investigation and was used to track a suspect in a past homicide. He told the council the city operates 108 cameras and also uses license-plate readers in some locations.

Mayor Plybon and Safety-Service Director Wheeler said the system has already supported other responses, including providing photos from a recent flood incident. Wheeler said Service Department staff have live-view access during weather events and the Fire Department also has live-view access to assist operations. Officials said the Verkada deployment is separate from private home cameras, though residents may register home cameras via a link on the city's website.

The resolution title includes an emergency clause; council action at the Jan. 21 meeting placed the measure on its first reading. City officials told the council Proline has provided maintenance and upgrades and that the system is intended for public-safety investigations, missing-person searches and interagency assistance.

No public debate or roll-call tally beyond the voice vote was recorded in the transcript. The measure will return for further readings and any formal vote required for final authorization.