On May 8, Governor Mike DeWine awarded funding to the Ohio Highway Patrol’s aviation support unit, which will enhance OHP’s aviation technology to offer improved air support to local law enforcement agencies statewide.
Approximately $6 million in funding will be awarded to the patrol as part of the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program. Governor DeWine, in partnership with the Ohio General Assembly, created the grant program in 2021 to give local law enforcement additional tools to address violence and fight crime.
The funding will specifically be earmarked toward improving OHP’s livestreaming aviation technology. Current video streaming capabilities are generally limited to the regions of Columbus and Akron. In other parts of the state, pilots must describe via radio to those on the ground what they are seeing from the air.
“During dangerous and evolving situations, our OHP flight crews have a birds-eye view of the scene below, but it's just as important for onsite incident commanders to have this perspective as well,” said the governor. “By extending this live-streaming technology across more parts of the state, the patrol will better support local law enforcement during emergencies by offering them the opportunity to see the same real-time aerial views that our flight teams are seeing from the air.”
State Representative Haraz Ghanbari of Perrysburg is among those who supported the grant funding.
“As chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, it’s vital we provide our law enforcement with the resources and funding necessary to combat criminal activity across our state and here in Wood County,” Mr. Ghanbari said. “These funds will equip our first responders with the tools they need to help keep our communities safe.”
The new equipment would tie into new and existing Multi-Agency Radio Communication System towers to establish communication between the flight crew and the ground.
Funding also will be used to purchase an Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance system for its helicopters to assist rural communities that do not have as much aviation assistance compared to larger cities.
The system includes a package of advanced cameras, mapping software, radios and information downlink transmitters.
Approval for the funding came after dozens of local law enforcement agencies across the state submitted letters of support for the patrol’s aviation project.
To date, Governor DeWine has awarded more than $86 million to 171 Ohio law enforcement agencies as part of Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program, which is administered by the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services within the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
The grant is funded through the state operating budget and American Rescue Plan Act funds that Governor DeWine and the Ohio General Assembly have dedicated to first responders to counter various pressing issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, including violent crime.
