Cameras with AI technology to aid police in finding criminals

by Laura Bednar

Feb. 11 city council meeting

The Independence police department will add three video cameras to its supply, bringing the total to six, which are or will be in the following locations: Quarry Lane and Rockside Road, Quarry Lane near Winking Lizard restaurant, Hillside Road and Route 21, Pleasant Valley Road, West Creek and Rockside roads and Brecksville Road. 

The cameras will work with the automated license plate reader cameras, which notify if a warrant, missing person or other crime is connected to the vehicle or its driver. Police Chief Robert Butler explained that current cameras are reactionary and will tell police when a car passed by but then drops off. 

“These [new] cameras in strategic locations will begin using AI technology to scan and look for these cars and help the officers be proactive to look for these vehicles,” said Butler. The cost of the new cameras, with maintenance, is $63,750 for a two-year agreement. The department will use $34,000 from the federal forfeiture fund.

Fireworks

Council approved hiring American Fireworks Company to produce fireworks shows on the Fourth of July and for the tree-lighting event in December. Councilperson Dale Veverka proposed removing the winter show, which he said is poorly attended, and add to the Fourth of July show. 

Vice Mayor Anthony Togliatti made a motion to eliminate the winter show, citing low attendance in Elmwood Park and previous uncooperative weather. Mayor Greg Kurtz said more people can watch from home because trees are bare, leaving an open view of the sky. Togliatti said he watched from his porch on Chestnut Road this year and didn’t see anyone outdoors on his street. 

The motion to remove the winter show failed 5-2 with Veverka and Togliatti voting in favor. Council approved the $38,500 contract for both shows with the same 5-2 vote.

Purchases

Council approved the purchase of four new 2025 Ford Explorer Interceptors for $187,696 and the installation of vehicle equipment and graphics for $91,721. Police also entered into an agreement with Excel K-9 Services for the purchase and training of a police dog for the department. Butler said one of the current K-9 dogs, Rambo, will retire this summer. The $15,200 for the dog and training comes from the department’s drug forfeiture fund.

The recreation department purchased new fitness equipment at the Civic Center for $47,048. Recreation Director Tom Walchanowicz said seven pieces of equipment more than 10 years old will be replaced. The old equipment is believed to have trade-in value.

NOPEC

Independence extended its deadline for withdrawal from NOPEC to June 2026. The city will continue to explore the option of becoming its own aggregator in the meantime. Communications Director Alla Lora explained that regardless of the energy provider, prices are projected to increase 10-15% in June because of PJM Interconnections, the regional transmission organization that manages the electric grid. PJM held a capacity auction that raised its capacity prices by 800%. Capacity prices are the fee power companies charge to ensure power plants are prepared to produce electricity when there is high demand, like the summer.