By Paula Pyzik Scott

The Ada Police Department is among Ohio law enforcement agencies recently awarded grant funding to help cover costs associated with body-worn cameras. The Ada department received $26,057.20, which partially covers the expense of updating cameras, software and the associated 5-year service contract.

At the January 16 Ada Council Meeting, councilors unanimously approved the remaining expense of some $8,100.

Police Chief Alec Cooper explains that the police department currently has 8 body-worn cameras, which the department has used since 2016. He notes that the department is currently having software and customer service problems which sometimes delays requests for information.

The new plan will include just 5 cameras, but officers will be able to log in to the devices, so fewer will be needed. Improved tech support is the most important aspect of the new package, according to Cooper.

The state awarded nearly $4.8 million in grant funding for 108 law enforcement agencies in the third round of the Ohio Body-Worn Camera Grant Program.

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