North Royalton City Council has approved the lease of the Flock cameras at their December 20 meeting. Council introduced the legislation at its December 6 meeting to allow for the lease and installation of ten surveillance cameras.
The ordinance was adopted six to one, introduced by Ward 6 Council Mike Wos and Ward 4 Council Jeremy Dietrich and co-sponsored by Ward 1 Council Rep John Nickell, authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Flock Safety for cameras, installation and services for the North Royalton Police Department, for an amount not to exceed $28,500.00. Casting the only dissenting vote was Ward 5 Council Rep Dawn Carbone-McDonald, stating that she could not vote for the measure as she felt that the money would be better served to purchase tasers for the North Royalton Police Officers.
A resident addressed Council before the vote, saying that she had done some research and spoke with officers from other departments. She noted that the County Sheriff’s office offered plate readers to all cities, with free participation. Each police department was notified in July and each had an opportunity to apply. She added that the Sheriff said that after three years, the program would pay for the cameras if they were purchased instead of leasing.
Ward 1 Council Rep John Nickell called the legislation a compromise. He stated that it had been his experience that when something is contentious, people tend to show up at the meetings. Ward 2 Council Rep Linda Barath said she was voting for the cameras, as there were some incidents that took place after the first vote that led her to think it will help, looking to audit after a year in service. Ward 3 Council Joanne Krejci said that many residents prefer to talk to their Council Representatives, rather than attend a meeting. She said she will support the system, as a tool and as part of a trial. Ward 4 Council Rep Jeremy Dietrich, said he wished he knew about the Cuyahoga County program before, but felt that the Chief must have had his reasons for not going with the County program. Ward 6 Rep Mike Wos said he didn’t feel comfortable with the first amount, but with the reduced amount, it would be more like a pilot. He said he will ask the Police Department for stats monthly.
The Cloud-based Flock Safety system is designed to take and store two photos of each vehicle that passes under its camera, one of the backs 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 Tarase.
Last April, Council defeated the legislation that would allow for the installation and 24-month lease of 15 plate-reading cameras for an annual amount not to exceed $41,250,00, and an annual cost of $37,500,00. The measure went down 4-2, with Ward 1 Council Representative John Nickel and Ward 3 Council Representative Joanne Krejci casting the only affirmative votes. Ward 4 Council Representative Jeremy Dietrich was absent.
Last spring, Tarase noted that Flock officials originally recommended 26 cameras, but he reduced it to fifteen. He said that with North Royalton being 21.33 square miles, that going to a smaller number would not be effective. “It would be hit or miss as to solving a crime.” When asked now why the ten would be effective, Tarase stated that “I believe that reducing the number of cameras reduces some benefits from the system. Ten cameras are less effective than fifteen, but more effective than none. I believe that the addition of these cameras will be a valuable asset in solving crime, justifying possible additional cameras in the future.” Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz previously concurred with Tarase, stating that it would be an ineffective alternative. When asked now why he thought ten cameras would be effective, Antoskiewicz stated “I guess the Chief came to me and said that he could work with the ten. He really believes that once people see how they work, he could make it work with ten. It’s not perfect, but it makes a start.”
According to Tarase, the ten cameras will cost the city $28,500 the first year, then, a recurring $25,000 yearly. The lease contract is for a two-year period. It is expected to take between eight and twelve weeks to install. The majority of the cameras will be installed at entry points into the city and through some major thoroughfares.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer