By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
Three area police departments will receive state funding to support body worn camera programs following a recent announcement from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
The Stryker, Wauseon, and Bryan police departments were among 131 law enforcement agencies across Ohio awarded grants through the fifth round of the Ohio Body Worn Camera Grant Program, a statewide initiative designed to help agencies purchase camera equipment and cover related expenses.
According to information released by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, the Stryker Police Department was awarded $23,124.98, the Wauseon Police Department will receive $18,479.60, and the Bryan Police Department was granted $8,462.29.
The awards will assist departments with costs associated with cameras, video storage, and management of public records generated by the systems.
Statewide, the program will distribute $4.4 million in funding. Officials said ten agencies will use the grants to establish new body camera programs, including the Stryker Police Department, while 121 departments will apply the money toward upgrading or expanding existing systems, increasing data storage capacity, or supporting record retention needs.
Demand for the program remains high, with the state reporting more than $17 million in grant requests for this round alone.
Governor DeWine created the Ohio Body Worn Camera Grant Program in 2021 with the goal of helping local law enforcement agencies overcome the financial barriers associated with the technology.
Since the initiative began, 370 agencies across Ohio have received assistance. In announcing the latest awards, DeWine said body cameras have become an important tool that protects both the public and first responders while promoting transparency and accountability.
Local officials have long cited body cameras as a resource that can strengthen evidence collection, document officer interactions, and provide clarity when questions arise about police activity.
The new grants are expected to help departments in Fulton and Williams counties continue modernizing their equipment without placing additional strain on local budgets, allowing agencies of all sizes to maintain current technology standards.