Ohio Plans Network to Link Surveillance Cameras

Ohio plans to create a network linking thousands of cameras monitoring public roads and schools and privately owned businesses such as shopping malls.

The Ohio Homeland Security agency says the goal is to provide eyes for police, firefighters and other first responders when they handle major emergencies. Agency executive director William Vedra says it’s not a “Big Brother” effort to spy on Ohioans.

Vedra says the system, modeled after a similar one in Alabama, should be operating within two years. A bipartisan panel of lawmakers approved $235,000 for the project last month.

Republican state Rep. Jay Hottinger tells The Columbus Dispatch the state needs to give the highest assurances that personal privacy won’t be invaded.