Akron City Council is giving away 460 Ring Doorbells in crime-reduction pilot program

Residents living in 6,792 Akron households in "high-crime areas" can apply Wednesday free Ring Doorbells from the city.

But with a limited supply in this City Council-led pilot program, only the first 460 eligible applicants will receive a camera. And City Council has not yet released details on how residents living in the 44320, 44311, 44307 and 44302 ZIP codes, which cover most of Wards 3, 4 and 5 from West to East Akron, can apply.

Joan Williams, chief of staff to Akron City Council, detailed the program Monday during an update on the city's spending of $145 million in ARPA funds. Williams told the Beacon Journal that a press release would be released Tuesday, on the day before the application window opens, with steps on how residents may apply.

The presentation Monday said an online application process targeted toward eligible residents will be detailed in the press release.

Some council members who listened to Monday's presentation said it was the first mention of which ZIP codes would be eligible.

The pilot program is funded with $45,990 in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Williams said applicants may apply through July 14. The first 460 applicants can pick up their free cameras on Aug. 5 at South Street Ministries (798 Grant St.) for Ward 3 and 5 residents, or New Hope Baptist Church (1706 S. Hawkins Ave.) for Ward 4 residents.

At-Large Councilwoman Linda Omobien asked when the pilot program might be expanded, and what criteria will be used to measure the program's success.

Williams said crime data will be used to measure any impact on crime reduction.

The location of the cameras will be tracked once the first 460 are passed out, Williams said.

Councilwoman Nancy Holland said Monday was the first time she had heard of the camera program being limited to four ZIP codes. She asked if the "significant" number of her Ward 1 constituents living inside ZIP code 44302 would be included. Her request received no response.

Councilman Russ Neal of Ward 4 asked if the cameras would be hard-wired or if the residents will be required to replace batteries.

He also questioned how the city would assist applicants who lack internet service, which is required to use the cameras, and who would pay the monthly or annual subscriptions to use the cameras. The cameras alert residents to activity and stream motion-detected footage to their phones.

Tamiyka Rose, deputy chief of staff to the mayor, said only homes with working internet will be allowed to participate. The cameras will be hard-wired, “so they will have to put it on their home," Rose said.

Participants “will be responsible for paying the subscription” to use the Ring Doorbells. The private camera company offers plans starting at $4 monthly, which would cover one camera per home.

This article will be update when more information on eligibility and the application process is provided.

Reach reporter Doug Livingston at dlivingston@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3792.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Eligible Akron residents can apply for free Ring Doorbells this week