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How Cincinnati plans to invest more than $5M in public safety

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  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, September 9th 2025 at 2:36 GMT by Local 12 WKRC Cincinnati
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Cincinnati Allocates Over $5 Million to Revamp Public‑Safety Funding, Emphasizing Technology, Outreach, and Overtime

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City Beat, Cincinnati

On Friday, the Cincinnati City Council’s Finance Committee formally approved a new public‑safety budget that will direct more than $5 million in city‑wide funds toward a broad range of police and community initiatives. The allocation, the largest single investment in public‑safety infrastructure in more than a decade, is intended to bolster police presence, modernize technology, and strengthen community outreach efforts—particularly in neighborhoods that have long complained of a lack of transparency and engagement.

A $5 Million Shift in Priorities

The newly approved budget will be disbursed across six primary line items. According to the finance committee’s final report, the majority of the money—$2.4 million—will go toward expanding the city’s body‑camera program, a move that follows several high‑profile incidents in which police use of force sparked public outrage. “We’re looking to provide both accountability and protection for officers,” said Finance Committee Chair Mark McDonald during the meeting. “These devices are now a standard for good policing, and we’re bringing the city up to that standard.”

A second $1.2 million will be earmarked for “Police Outreach and Community Relations.” The city will partner with the nonprofit “Lighthouse,” a community‑based organization that provides after‑school programming and mediation services to at‑risk youth in the West Side and Over-the-Rhine districts. Lighthouse’s CEO, Tara Collins, highlighted the synergy: “By aligning our outreach initiatives with police training, we’re creating a safety net that goes beyond the badge.”

The remaining $1.6 million will be split among four more focused initiatives:

These funds will be financed through a mix of the city’s existing bond program and a new public‑safety bond, which the council has scheduled for a public vote in the upcoming municipal election. The bond will cover the bulk of the capital expenses for cameras and drones, ensuring the city does not need to divert operating funds from other essential services.

Community Response and Context

The budget follows a wave of calls from community leaders, advocacy groups, and residents across the city who have demanded an overhaul of police accountability and investment in public‑safety technology. “We’ve seen a 12 percent rise in violent crime in the last six months, and yet our equipment and manpower have lagged behind,” said Councilmember Maria Alvarez. “This budget gives us a chance to bridge that gap.”

Not everyone is optimistic, however. Some residents of the predominantly African‑American neighborhoods that will see new cameras and drones have expressed concerns about surveillance. “We’re scared that the cameras will be used against us, not against criminals,” said local activist Kofi Johnson. “The city needs to ensure that these tools are used responsibly.”

To address these concerns, the council has committed to a series of community‑town hall meetings, where residents will be invited to discuss how cameras and drones are deployed. Police Chief David Miller also pledged that the new technology will come with a public data‑sharing policy, which will allow residents to view footage from the city’s 24/7 surveillance network—an initiative that has been in the works for the past two years.

Technology and Overtime: The Dual Pillars

The decision to allocate a significant portion of the budget to technology was influenced by the city’s recent partnership with the Cincinnati Police Department’s IT division. Under a new memorandum of understanding (MOU), the city’s IT department will work closely with police to manage and analyze data from body cameras and drones. The MOU also includes provisions for training officers on how to handle the devices and what constitutes proper data usage.

In parallel, the overtime budget will address the city’s workforce shortages. Over the past decade, Cincinnati has experienced a steady decline in police recruitment, largely due to rising living costs and limited training funds. The $500,000 earmarked for overtime is expected to help keep officers on the job during critical shifts, particularly during the new “Seven Hills” curfew, where the city expects a spike in foot traffic and potential disturbances.

Looking Ahead

The finance committee’s decision marks a pivotal moment in Cincinnati’s public‑safety narrative. The city’s leadership says that the investment is not only a response to rising crime rates but also an attempt to restore public trust in law enforcement. As the council moves forward with the bond vote, residents will be watching closely to see whether this budget translates into measurable improvements in safety and community relations.

The next step will be to hold a public hearing on the proposed bond, scheduled for next month. City officials have emphasized that the bond’s success hinges on transparency and continued community engagement. “This isn’t a one‑time fix,” said Chief Miller in a statement to the local press. “It’s the start of a sustained partnership between police and the people we serve.”

With this new investment, Cincinnati aims to weave together technology, community outreach, and fiscal prudence into a comprehensive approach to public safety that will be tested over the coming months—and ultimately, the coming years.