Regardless of one’s perspective on the new body cameras adopted by the Toledo Police Department (TPD) in early June, the move was certainly a progressive one. After all, Columbus, the nation’s 15th largest city and our state capital, doesn’t even employ them yet.
Body cameras offer a certain level of transparency between officers and civilians, with the premise that some video is better than none.
So as many parts of the nation deal with public tension between police and citizens, some local groups have taken an advanced approach to monitoring and even strengthening that relationship.
Accountability in action
TPD has already outfitted 43 officers with body cameras— at a cost of $500 a piece— with plans to provide cameras for all officers by next year, according to Stacy Weber, Public Information Officer for the City of Toledo. Weber adds that Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson, in full support of body cameras, is concerned with both transparency and safety of the police force.
Weber said that when officers return the body cameras at the end of their shifts, the video is downloaded to a server where the recordings are protected via encryption.
“It really puts people on their best behavior,” Weber said. “It helps us be more responsive.”
Neighborhood watch
NFiveOWatch.com, formed earlier this year by South Toledo residents concerned with national incidents, is bringing the focus to day-to-day interactions right here, right now. The website allows users to submit reports of interactions they’ve had with police officers, with particular emphasis on those with racial minorities.
“The day-to-day harassment of people of color in Toledo really undermines that relationship between police and community,” said Peter Meinecke, co-founder. “And we wanted them to be able to speak out, which is how the website came about.”
Through a current GoFundMe campaign, FiveOWatch will soon be designed to work on smart phones. Users can then instantly post officer interaction and the site will track which geographic areas in our community generate the most complaints. Meinecke contends that will build a case for accountability on both sides.
Meinecke works full-time for the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC), based in Toledo, and through a FLOC-based youth program, he uncovered systemic issues which he believes were preventing the program’s clients from being successful.
“Police harassment came up [in conversations with clients], or being abused by the court system, and getting little or no representation,” Meinecke said. “The system works against them in many ways and it all starts with being stopped on the streets. We’re not trying to suggest that every police officer out there is profiling.”
Meinecke said Toledo Police Chief George Kral— promoted to that position last January— has worked with FiveOWatch and has been “very responsive to everything we’re doing.” The group remains encouraged by the work Kral has done during his short time in the position, including the appointment of a TPD liaison to attend meetings with the group to enhance understanding and cooperation.
Another approach
Also encouraging accountability, Dialogue to Change Toledo was formed in 2013 by groups of citizens who came together to promote conversations about race and to connect different cultures and backgrounds. Over 200 citizens have participated in six-week programs which follow a curriculum and promote an action-based follow-up.
Karen Shepler, a retired pastor who previously served at Monroe Street United Methodist Church, serves as Dialogue’s co-chair and appreciates what the body cameras offer. “I think it’s a great thing, and I think it’s about time with the climate of this country now,” Shepler said.
While Meinecke believes the cameras are a step in the right direction. “It’s really about accountability and giving a voice to the community members who have been mistreated,” said Meinecke.
