Mayor Andrew Ginter proposed the law earlier in the day in response to numerous shootings in parks over the past month.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Columbus City Council has voted to allow additional overtime work for police officers in the summer months, as well as for temporary lighting and security camera systems in city parks.
Mayor Andrew Ginter proposed the law earlier in the day in response several shootings in parks over the past month.
“Summer has traditionally been a time of greater crime, so we need to do everything we can to keep our residents safe,” Ginter said. “Additional staff on weekends and well-lit parks are part of a broader crime prevention plan this summer.”
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Fraternal Police Order will allow the city to pay jurors for work on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between Remembrance Day and Labor Day.
The city says it will allow up to 40 additional officers in high-visibility locations to assist in regular patrols.
Additional patrols will last from Remembrance Day to Labor Day.
Additional lighting and security cameras will be installed in more than 20 city parks in three weeks.
The city is using up to $ 500,000 to enter into an agreement with Street Smart Rentals, LLC to lease temporary lighting and security camera systems.
Places in the decree were not specified. 10TV contacted the city’s recreation and parks department to get a list of venues.
On Sunday, 10TV spoke with Remy. He said the cameras will be mobile and can be placed in different places if needed.
“We want to make sure our neighborhoods, our neighbors, our residents feel comfortable and safe entering our parks,” Remy said.
Remy said adding these security measures will help obtain evidence and make arrests if something happens.
“Sometimes when you see this blue light and this camera that the neighborhoods see because they have high definition, it can hold you back and make you go the other way,” he said.
Remy added that work is underway to obtain permanent cameras in August.
Brian Steele, executive vice president of the Brotherhood of the Brotherhood of Police Lodge in the city’s capital № 9, said the organization appreciates efforts to maintain the safety of Columbus Parks.
Shootings took place in four city parks this year, the most recent May 14 in Vineland Park resulting in an 8-year-old girl being injured.
May 4A 19-year-old man was killed and a 17-year-old was injured in Westgate Park.
April 23A 19-year-old man was killed in a shooting in Nafzger Park on April 23.
On the same day, A 20-year-old woman was also killed in Saunders Park. A pregnant woman was also injured in the shooting.
On May 16, Mayor Andrew Ginter said he was disappointed with the recent shootings, but said the parks were still a safe place for a family vacation.
“It is very important for us to be vigilant in each other’s security issues. The city and our security are worth fighting for, ”Ginter said.
https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/city-council-passes-legislation-allow-increased-police-presence-cameras-columbus-parks/530-7a521e06-353e-4a51-8e2e-5711c4b1c49a
