FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced a $1.6 million grant going to local law enforcement to help reduce violent crime.
Madison Township was the only department in Franklin County to receive some of that money. They were awarded the second-highest amount in the state.
When it comes to reducing violent crime and solving crimes faster, Chief Gary York says he knows Flock license plate reading cameras will make the biggest difference for his community.
“Flock cameras are something that we have been wanting to get for the township for quite awhile. When the opportunity presented itself with this grant, we applied,” York said.
York says he has seen the difference Flock cameras have made in other communities, especially when it comes to tracking stolen cars and says he is looking forward to having the technology to better serve his community.
“Those will be utilized in the areas where we have the most activity. In Madison Township, we have had a lot of shots fired calls. We've had out of those instances where homes have been hit by gunfire. One hundred percent of the time when those houses have been by cars that have been doing drive-by shootings,” York said.
York points to high-profile incidents such as when Joseph Ennemoser tried to abduct a 12-year-old girl on her way to school in February 2023.
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“We were able to put that together, but it took a lot longer to do that. I think, had we had Flock cameras, we would have been able to solve that a lot quicker,” York said.
Part of the money will also go to a mobile command center that is motion-censored, will have cameras and be remote-controlled.
York says it will be best used at football games. Last year three teens were arrested at a high school football game with guns and glock switches.
“We can put it in shopping plazas, parks, areas that might have problems with theft, vehicles, catalytic converters. It will alert our officers there is motion detected,” York said.
The board will vote to accept the grant and approve the spending at their meeting on Tuesday.