Rep. McNally Rest Stop Safety Legislation Receives Support from Crime Survivors, Anti-Human Trafficking Advocates
COLUMBUS – State Rep. Lauren McNally’s (D-Youngstown) House Bill (HB) 473 today received public support during a hearing convened by the Ohio House Homeland Security Committee. This bill would require the maintenance of security cameras at rest areas which the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has jurisdiction. Advocates for public safety gave proponent testimony focusing on the goal of HB 473, combating human trafficking, and deterring and solving crime at Ohio’s 85 rest stops.
“Video recordings add credibility and corroboration to accounts given by human beings and can capture incidents when no one else is around. They also fill in the blanks where someone’s memory may fail, or a witness becomes unavailable. Details that may seem unimportant to a casual observer will be captured and used by law enforcement officers and prosecutors who recognize the behaviors and patterns commonly displayed by traffickers and their victims,” said Mahoning County Prosecutor Gina DeGenova in her proponent testimony. “The installation of cameras as proposed by HB 473 will serve as a vital tool, not only in the war against human trafficking but in the pursuit of justice for other crimes too.”
Proponents of HB 473, which included the Alliance Against Human Trafficking, shared statistics on the crime deterrent effect of cameras as well as the role camera footage plays in assisting law enforcement, prosecuting offenders, and providing closure for victim’s family members.
“In August, it will be six years since Scott’s passing. While the man who killed him may be behind bars, and the investigation is considered closed, my family remains without many answers regarding why and exactly how the events of that night transpired. Truthfully, we will probably never know. However, by passing House Bill 473, we can help prevent these and similar events from taking place and can provide families like mine with answers,” said Joyce Chambers Reichard, a North Ridgeville resident and Cleveland trial attorney, during her proponent testimony where she recalled the story of her late husband’s, Scott’s, untimely death at an Ohio rest stop. “The right thing to do is to pass House Bill 473 and make sure that every Ohio Rest Area is safe for its travelers by adding cameras.”
“The impact of security cameras, like those proposed in HB 473, was profoundly felt by my family recently. Our cousin Sarah Wilkinson tragically lost her 43-year-old husband, Patrick, to a senseless act of violence… While stopped at a red light and looking at his phone for directions, he lightly tapped the car in front of him. What happened next was only revealed thanks to a security camera on a nearby building,” said Susan Petersen, founder of the law firm Petersen and Petersen in Geauga County and Chair of the Women’s Caucus for the Ohio Association for Justice (OAJ). “HB 473 is a proactive measure that has the potential to save lives and spare families the unimaginable pain of losing a loved one to senseless violence and exploitation.”
HB 473 awaits further hearings in the House Homeland Security Committee before being voted on by all members of the Ohio House of Representatives.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Photos of Prosecutor DeGenova and Joyce Chambers Reichard are attached to this release. Courtesy: Ohio House Democratic Caucus. The full Ohio House Homeland Security Committee hearing can be viewed on the Ohio Channel here.