State Rep Ghanbari, "I ask for our departments to take advantage of this funding,”

Haraz N. Ghanbari | ohiohouse.gov

By Buckeye Reporter Report

Sep 15, 2023

State Representative Haraz N. Ghanbari of Ohio is urging law enforcement agencies in Wood County to take advantage of the third round of body-worn camera grants. These grants aim to enhance community safety by providing funding for camera equipment, video storage software, and related expenses. Ghanbari, a Republican who has been serving in the Ohio House since 2019, believes that body-worn cameras are crucial for law enforcement departments.

Wood County has already received substantial funding through the grant program, benefiting agencies such as the Bowling Green Police Division and Bowling Green State University. Ghanbari's support for transparency and accountability is evident through his advocacy for body-worn cameras and his #RideAlongAndLearn challenge. By promoting the use of these cameras, Ghanbari is committed to meeting the needs of law enforcement and ensuring accountability.

In response to Governor Mike DeWine's initiative, $10 million was allocated in the 2021 state budget to support the adoption of body-worn cameras by law enforcement agencies. The goal is to promote transparency, accountability, evidence collection, and training among officers statewide. Governor DeWine has outlined several public safety and criminal justice initiatives in his Executive Budget proposal for the 2022-2023 biennium, including a $10 million grant program for body-worn cameras.

The Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS), which is part of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, administers the Ohio Body-worn Camera Grant Program. The program prioritizes agencies without existing body camera programs and provides funding for various expenses related to implementing and maintaining these programs. Eligible agencies must be certified on the Body-Worn Camera standard developed through the Ohio Collaborative on Community-Police Relations. The average award amount for the upcoming fiscal year is $43,482.13, and agencies must comply with crime statistics reporting and demonstrate a commitment to community engagement and sustainability in their applications.

Overall, State Representative Haraz N. Ghanbari is encouraging law enforcement agencies in Wood County and across Ohio to apply for the body-worn camera grants. With the funding provided, these agencies can enhance community safety, promote transparency, and ensure accountability within their departments.

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Haraz N. Ghanbari was first elected to the Ohio House in 2019. A Republican, their legislative experience includes serving on the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee, Chair and House Finance Committee. Ghanbari is a state representative who resides in Perrysburg, according to the Ohio House.

State Representative Haraz N. Ghanbari, who supported the budget package under House Bill 110, highlights the importance of body-worn cameras for law enforcement departments. Wood County, including Bowling Green Police Division and Bowling Green State University, received substantial funding through the grant program. Ghanbari's advocacy for transparency and his #RideAlongAndLearn challenge demonstrate his commitment to meeting the needs of law enforcement and promoting accountability.

read more here

In response to Governor Mike DeWine's initiative, $10 million was allocated in the 2021 state budget to support law enforcement agencies in adopting body-worn cameras. This funding aims to facilitate the establishment of body camera programs for law enforcement officers statewide, promoting transparency, accountability, evidence collection, and training.

read more here

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has outlined key public safety and criminal justice initiatives in his Executive Budget proposal for the 2022-2023 biennium. These include a $10 million grant program to support local law enforcement agencies in adopting body-worn cameras, a doubling of investment to $13 million in the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center, funding for a Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program to establish Crime Gun Intelligence Centers, $4.6 million to expand the Ohio School Safety Center's work, $1 million for law enforcement recruitment, and $1 million for the Expedited Pardon Project. The budget also continues funding for various existing initiatives focused on public safety and criminal justice.

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The Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS), a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, administers the Ohio Body-worn Camera Grant Program to support law enforcement agencies in adopting body-worn cameras. The program, funded by Governor Mike DeWine, aims to prioritize agencies without existing body camera programs. Funding can be used for various expenses related to implementing and maintaining body camera programs, with an emphasis on transparency and accountability. Eligible agencies must be certified on the Body-Worn Camera standard developed through the Ohio Collaborative on Community-Police Relations. The average award amount for FY2023 was $43,482.13, and all awards are for 12 months, operating from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. Additionally, law enforcement agencies must comply with crime statistics reporting and demonstrate a commitment to community engagement and sustainability in their applications.

read more here