The commissioners approved the request for a $131,769 grant Thursday, July 16. He hopes to hear about the grant request by the end of September.
The estimated cost of the body camera project was $147,000 to include 65 body cameras and $15,000 in sheriff’s office funds for a server and storage space the county information technology department said would be needed for the cameras’ information.
The county also can apply for reimbursement of $19,500 for the cameras through the County Commissioner Association of Ohio, an amount that could reduce the grant size, Duchak said.
"Due to today's environment, I would highly recommend that we do apply for this grant," Commissioner Ted Mercer said.
Duchak said he has looked at body cameras over the past few years and followed information on available equipment and technology. Funding availability has been an issue in the past, he said, adding, “Technology is very expensive.”
During those years priority was on securing a new camera system for the county jail and Incarceration Facility to replace outdated equipment, he said.
The jail cameras/security project was completed this year at a cost of more than $1 million.
With the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May and the following protests “the public is demanding that police officers wear body cameras,” Duchak said in the grant application.
“These events have also changed our analysis of their use and made us realize that even though tax dollars are down because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the body cameras are now needed,” he said.
In discussions following local peaceful protests, applications for local grants was suggested. Grants from state and federal organizations for larger project have not been available for several years, Duchak said.
The body camera system being proposed would integrate with the department’s existing in -car camera systems. When the cruiser overhead lights are turned on, the body camera would activate, Duchak said.
The cameras would have 12-hour batteries. The cameras would be purchased from Motorola, the sole source for the product because of the need for the body cameras and in-car cameras to integrate.
“At this point in time, basically the governor and everybody else is basically dictating this needs to be done,” said Commission President Jack Evans. “If you can get the grant that would be great.”
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