CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Metropolitan School District has partnered with Cleveland Police to give them 24/7 access to some of the district’s security cameras.

This announcement comes after the district has struggled with safety issues, including car thefts and kids being shot at while walking into school. Shari Obrenski, president of the Cleveland Teachers Union, explained why they needed this change.

What You Need To Know

  • CMSD announced a partnership with Cleveland Police

  • It will allow Cleveland Police access to some of the district's security cameras

  • This is a result of security issues such as cars getting stolen from school property and kids getting shot at while walking into school 

  • It will hopefully deter people from committing crimes near or on school property

“We have been very concerned about the increase in violence that is occurring not only just around the city, but particularly in broad daylight right in front of and around our schools,” she said.

Obrenski said she hopes that the cameras deter people from committing crimes around the school, but if the crimes do still take place, she hopes the cameras help find the people who committed those crimes.

“We are supportive of the district working with the city to try to get their hands around the violence issue,” she said.

Obrenksi said there are some people with concerns about the security cameras and the invasion of privacy or targeting a certain group of people.

“What is gained from the cameras works to benefit those that are being peaceful in our community and that it isn’t used in a way to go after people unnecessarily,” she said.

She said that change needs to begin fast.

“We’re hopeful that this cooperation between the district and the city bears fruit very quickly,” she said.

Other districts that have been cooperating with police and their security cameras are Lakewood, Mason and Ravenna.