City Council introduced legislation at its March 15 meeting for a 24-month of license plate reading cameras that will surveil fifteen areas, down from the original 26, at cost of about $41,250 for the first year, then $37,500 per year. If the City is not satisfied with the system, it can elect to terminate the agreement, at additional cost of $500 per camera, according to the agreement.
The Cloud-based Flock Safety system takes and stores two photos of each vehicle that passes under its camera, one of the back of the vehicle for vehicle recognition and the other of the license plate. The pictures, date, time and location are then stored on a server by a firm that Flock Safety has contracted. During that time, agencies who subscribe to the Flock Safety system can access that information, according to North Royalton Police Chief Keith Tarase.
The main topics Council discussed regarding the system were the “big brother” aspect of the technology and the cost-benefit of allowing it. Tarase explained that the technology will be used more for criminal investigation and will be accessible by just a few officers. As far as the North Royalton Police Department’s use of the data, Tarase said that if the Flock system was approved, he will develop policies and procedures regarding the use of the data that the system presents before the system is installed.
Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz pointed out “whether we get them or not, when they travel down 82 and Broadview Heights, their license plate is going to be on their camera . . . more cities that get these Flocks, obviously, wherever you travel, you are basically on their camera, so it’s not like we’re going to be unique.” He stressed that “our only goal is to have it for safety.”
Ward 6 Councilman Mike Wos said that “I’ve gotten a lot of phone calls and emails where people are not in favor of this at all.” Ward 2 Councilwoman Linda Barath said that, “I spent a lot of time on the phone on this, the majority are not in favor of it, because of the whole big brother aspect. . . The other thing that really hangs over for me is the cost. Is there a way to show, with the other suburbs that have it, how productive it’s been?” Tarase responded that, “as far as the agencies on this side of the county, it’s all new within the last couple months.” He went on to point out that “one case may be worth the cost of the cameras.”
Ward 4 Councilman Jeremy Dietrich stated that, “Whenever there’s change, you’re going to have a lot of push back just ‘cause people don’t like change, even if it’s a positive way, so it can be spun. Even if you’ve gotten twelve complaints, there’s thirty-some thousand residents in the city and it would be different if you had thousands of people coming to you.” He noted that there was a lot of people who responded to the potential closing of the jail, where the response was “loud and clear.” “You’re not getting that kind of push back on this, so I wouldn’t be too excited.” Ward 1 Councilman John Nickell pointed out that, “there are cameras everywhere. . . . I get the big brother thing: we are being watched everywhere. Even in the schools, we’re recording our kids.” He said that ultimately, “if this helps them do their job better, I’m in favor.”
Council President Paul Marnecheck questioned “how will this impact staffing levels?” Tarase said the cameras would supplement the staffing. Ward 3 Councilwoman Joanne Krejci asked if the City could make a smaller step by purchasing fewer cameras to see how the data will be used and then reassess. Ward 5 Councilwoman Dawn Carbone-McDonald asked, “could this money be better used for equipment for the officers.”
Several Council members indicated that they would like to hear more from their constituents about this matter. The camera legislation is on the City Council agenda, placed on second reading, and could be voted on at the Tuesday, April 5, meeting at City Hall. For those who wish to be heard on the matter, they can attend the meeting, or contact their City Council representative:
Ward 1, John Nickell ward1@northroyalton.org, 440-539-4762
Ward 2, Linda Barath ward2@northroyalton.org, 440-237-0460
Ward 3, Joanne Krejci ward3@northroyalton.org, 440-241-8233
Ward 4, Jeremy Dietrich ward4@northroyalton.org, 440-812-8700
Ward 5, Dawn Carbone-McDonald ward5@northroyalton.org, 440-694-9446
Ward 6, Mike Wos ward6@northroyalton.org, 440-915-1697
Council President Paul Marnecheck councilpres@northroyalton.org, 440-539-4636

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer