COLUMBUS, Ohio — Governor Mike DeWine announced Friday the statewide expansion of aviation downlink technology, giving law enforcement agencies across Ohio the ability to receive live aerial video feeds during critical incidents.
Previously limited to Columbus and Akron, the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) now has nine strategically placed receivers enabling real-time video transmission from anywhere in the state. The system allows on-the-ground commanders to see aerial footage firsthand, rather than relying on verbal descriptions from OSHP pilots.
“This technology virtually puts the incident commander up in the sky with our team, giving them a broader perspective and better information to make critical public safety decisions,” DeWine said.
Ohio is now one of only two states with the capability to downlink live video anywhere within its borders. Any authorized agency with internet access can view the footage in real-time on a phone, tablet, or computer.
Colonel Charles Jones, OSHP Superintendent, called the program “an advancement in collaborative public safety,” emphasizing that real-time aerial footage will enhance situational awareness, speed up response times, and improve decision-making during emergencies.
The OSHP Aviation Unit responds to over 1,000 calls annually, assisting in violent crime response, missing persons searches, storm damage assessments, and suspect pursuits. The expanded system is expected to benefit smaller rural departments lacking aviation resources, according to Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson.
The expansion was funded primarily through state and federal grants via the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program. Officials say the increased access to aerial surveillance will help law enforcement track down violent offenders more efficiently and deter future crimes.