The Ohio School Safety Center is deploying eight across the state which provide an extra set of eyes on school grounds after the bell rings.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — After a series of after-school incidents across central Ohio, state officials are rolling out new surveillance tools aimed at keeping students and communities safer once the final bell rings.
In August 2023, Madison Township officers responding to a fight discovered three suspects carrying guns. In October 2022, police responded to Marion-Franklin High School after shots were fired following a fight during a football game.
The incidents highlight a growing concern for school leaders and law enforcement: what happens after school hours when large crowds gather, but traditional school-day security measures are no longer in place?
“For K-12 schools, they now have access to eight mobile trailers like this that can be delivered to any school who wants them,” said Emily Torok, executive director of the Ohio School Safety Center.
“We were seeing incidents specifically after school hours during football games or late-night hours, like brawls sometimes with physical violence with weapons, firearms, or knives. So, we started to think, how can we help schools after hours?” said Torok.
The answer: mobile camera trailers. Eight units are now available statewide and can be requested by any K-12 school for events or high-traffic gatherings.
“Even though the bell rings at the end of the day, that doesn’t mean security stops,” said Torok.
The trailers feature elevated cameras mounted on tall poles, designed to give police a wide view of crowds and activity. Video feeds are monitored and can be shared in real time with officers nearby, with the goal of improving response times and potentially preventing incidents before they escalate.
Since the program launched in October, schools in Groveport, Canal Winchester and Circleville have used the trailers at 13 events.
Officials acknowledge the technology is not a cure-all but say it could help discourage violence.
“We are certainly hoping that these camera trailers serve as a deterrent for both physical violence and just any inappropriate activity that is happening on school grounds,” said Torok.
The trailers are available to both public and private schools and are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Schools can request a camera trailer here.
