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University Heights council approves police tech upgrades, authorizes drone program and CCTV overhaul
Summary
The Council unanimously authorized three public-safety technology purchases: $54,000 to FLOC for license-plate reader services, up to $39,998.55 for a police drone program, and up to $65,706 to 12C Technologies for CCTV server replacement and cameras. Chief Rogers said the tools are a "force multiplier" for investigations.
The University Heights City Council on Dec. 1 authorized three purchases intended to bolster public-safety investigations and situational awareness, approving payments for FLOC license-plate reader services, a drone program and an upgrade to the city’s CCTV system.
Police Chief Dustin Rogers told council the tools "significantly enhance our investigative capabilities" and described drones and license-plate readers as an "industry standard type tool" and a "force multiplier" that can help track suspects, find lost people and identify evidence at crash and crime scenes. Council approved payment of invoice 7762 to FLOC not to exceed $54,000 for annual services; authorized implementation of the UH Drone project through Brink Responder not to exceed $39,998.55; and approved up to $65,706 for 12C Technologies to replace a CCTV server and expand camera infrastructure.
Why it matters: Council members framed the investments as upgrades to long-standing systems and routine capital maintenance. Chief Rogers said the CCTV server was beyond its useful life and no longer under warranty, and that the 12C contract would allow adding cameras at three intersections in 2026: Cedar and South Taylor, Cedar and East Carroll, and Cedar and South Green.
Public reaction and oversight: Resident Harry Shapiro urged caution during public comment, praising the city’s snow response but asking whether the FLOC program justified its cost, saying the program "used 2 percent of the yearly budget" and questioning whether it had produced enough arrests or recoveries to justify continued spending. The council voted to authorize the expenditures on roll call, with no recorded dissent.
Next steps: Staff will proceed with procurement and implementation under the city’s budget for 2025–26. The CCTV infrastructure work and new cameras are scheduled to be built out in 2026; the drone project will be implemented through the city’s existing contract vehicle with Brink Responder.
