Marion city councilman continues opposition to police use of 'surveillance technology'

Andrew Carter, Marion Star
·3 min read

An ordinance that would allow the Marion Police Department to purchase two unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, will be back on the agenda for city council's finance committee when it meets again on Aug. 21.

Councilman Jason Schaber, 3rd Ward, who's been at odds with law enforcement about the use of "surveillance technology" - specifically automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras - inside Marion city limits, refused to second a motion by Councilman Aaron Rollins, At-large, to vote on the drones proposal during the Aug. 7 finance committee meeting.

"I will not second that. Let's leave this sit in committee and see if Mr. (Councilman Jeff) Gerritsen (1st Ward) wants to (second the motion)," said Schaber, who is chairman of the finance committee.

Major Chris Adkins from the Marion Police Department said the police department and Marion City Fire Department would share the drones, which are compact and can be flown inside of buildings. The drones are equipped with cameras and thermal imaging technology, Adkins noted.

Deputy Jesse Allen, left, of the Marion County Sheriff's Office pilots a DJI drone owned by the sheriff's office. Marion County Sheriff Matt Bayles, right, said the drone is a valuable tool for his agency.
Deputy Jesse Allen, left, of the Marion County Sheriff's Office pilots a DJI drone owned by the sheriff's office. Marion County Sheriff Matt Bayles, right, said the drone is a valuable tool for his agency.

The police department plans to use the $41,479 State Homeland Security Grant it was awarded by the Ohio Emergency Management Agency to pay for the drones. The grant requires that the department "preparespecifications and advertise for bids and enter into contract with the lowest and more responsive bidder for the purchase of two unmanned aerial systems (UAVs)."

Due to the terms of the grant, the police department is seeking approval of the ordinance from city council. Under normal circumstances, any city departmental purchases less than $50,000 would not require city council's approval.

Marion councilman opposes use of 'surveillance technology'

The dispute between Schaber and Marion Police Chief Jay McDonald about the use of automatic license plate reader cameras dates back to April of this year when McDonald invited representatives of Flock Safety, a firm based in Atlanta, Georgia, that provides public safety operating systems, to present information about the cameras to city council. Schaber was vocal in his opposition to the use of such technology.

Fast forward to late June and the dispute was inflamed when Schaber learned that cameras had already been installed inside city limits and were in use. It was revealed at that time, however, that Law Director Mark Russell, Service Director Cathy Chaffin, and Safety Director Randy Caryer signed what is titled "Consent to Install/Proceed, The City of Marion, Ohio/Flock Safety on Feb. 28, thus allowing the cameras to be installed.

In 2022, the sheriff's office was awarded $502,605 from the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program in 2022, a portion of which is being used to buy 32 cameras. The MARMET Drug Task Force and Marion Police Department are each buying six cameras with funds from their budgets.

This DJI drone is owned by the Marion County Sheriff's Office. Officials said the drone has a high resolution camera with wide angle and variable zoom capabilities as well as a thermal imaging camera. The drone can be used during the day and at night.
This DJI drone is owned by the Marion County Sheriff's Office. Officials said the drone has a high resolution camera with wide angle and variable zoom capabilities as well as a thermal imaging camera. The drone can be used during the day and at night.

The cameras take pictures of the rear license plates of vehicles as they pass by the locations where the cameras are installed. Data obtained by the cameras can be used in criminal investigations.

Sheriff Matt Bayles said most of the cameras have already been installed, both inside and outside the city limits of Marion and other locations in the county. A total of 20 ALPR cameras will be located inside city limits, he said.

Sheriff: No issues with county commissioners

Bayles said that the Marion County Board of Commissioners has been supportive regarding his agency's implementation of technology to assist with criminal investigations. Meeting minutes show the county commissioners voted unanimously to approve the sheriff's purchase of drone systems and the Flock Safety ALPR cameras.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office has two DJI drones that it uses to assist deputies on the ground during investigations. Three members of the sheriff's office staff - Deputy Jesse Allen, Capt. Ryan Zempter, and Lt. Arick Miller - are licensed by the FAA to pilot the drones.

Allen said one of the drones is an older and serves a backup. The newer drone has been in use for about a year, he said.

The drones used by the sheriff's office are much larger than the ones the police department is seeking to purchase, Bayles said.

Bayles said the ALPR cameras have already been useful in several investigations by allowing law enforcement to identify suspect vehicles or stolen vehicles. He said local law enforcement agencies have recovered several stolen vehicles thanks to the cameras.

Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion Police proposal to buy drones stalled in finance committee