LIMA — The Ottoville Police Department is getting some new crime-fighting tools, following approval of a recommendation Monday evening by Lima City Council that body cameras no longer needed by the Lima Police Department be donated to the Putnam County agency.
According to Jessica Begonia, public information officer for the City of Lima, in mid-December the Lima Police Department received a notice from the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police that Chief Jay Herrick of the Ottoville Police Department was in need of Watchguard body cameras.
Begonia said a new contract was signed last year by the City of Lima for the purchase of new body cameras from Axon, following the expiration of an earlier contract the company had with the Watchguard company. A Request For Proposal was sent to both Axon Enterprises and Watchguard, with Axon submitting the lowest and best proposal, Begonia said.
The City of Lima entered into an agreement with Axon in June 2023 for the purchase of 60 body cameras and 30 cruiser cameras, including the necessary software and service agreement.
The purchase of new body cameras for the LPD opened the door for the donation to Ottoville Police Department.
“We were able to accommodate them because we switched to Axon cameras and the previously-used Watchguard equipment was no longer of use to us,” Begonia said.
The legislation placed before Lima City Council on Monday called for the donation of 12 body cameras, four cruiser cameras and other equipment that has been decommissioned by the LPD to support those cameras.
Ottoville Police Chief Jay Herrick could not be reached for comment on Monday.
