🌱 Lakewood PD Using Grant For Cameras, Plate Readers + 'Pay To Stay'

Hello, friends. It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Lakewood Daily — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in town these days.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy, a snow shower; breezy. High: 35 Low: 25.

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Here are the top three stories today in Lakewood:

1. The Lakewood Police Department is using part of the recently awarded Office of Criminal Justice Services grant to purchase additional license plate readers and surveillance cameras to help reduce violent crime. According to Police Chief Kevin Kaucheck, about $127,000 of the $217,752 grant will also go towards officer overtime at Madison Park. (Subscription: Cleveland.com)
2. Lakewood City Council is considering a permanent “Pay to Stay” ordinance, and the new legislation is expected to pass soon. It will allow renters to stay in their homes if they tender their total rent, additional late fees, and court costs before an eviction hearing. City Council President John Litten said, “Sometimes people are nudged out because they’re a little late [with their rent], even though they’re saying, ‘I have the money right now, let me pay you. [The ordinance] kind of negates that as a possibility.” (Subscription: Cleveland.com)
3. Lakewood has the second-lowest unemployment rate among Ohio cities, with a population of 50,000 or more. Lakewood has a 2.8 percent unemployment rate, and Mentor, the only large Ohio city with a lower unemployment rate, has 2.7 percent. (City of Mentor)

Today in Lakewood:

• Drop In And Play At Lakewood Family Room In Cove Community Center (9:00 AM)
• After School Drop In At Lakewood Family Room In Cove Community Center (3:00 PM)
• BVH Vegan Night At Melt Bar And Grilled (5:00 PM)
• Lakewood Youth Council Meeting At Lakewood City Hall (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Congratulations to longtime Lakewood resident Jarrell McAlister! He is the recipient of LakewoodAlive’s Founders Award. (LakewoodAlive via Facebook)
• The City of Lakewood reminds residents that it is time to register or renew their dog's license! Save your dog the trouble of a night in the shelter, and always keep them in a collar and ID tag. You must register or renew by Jan. 31 to avoid a penalty. Click here to register and here for more information. (City of Lakewood, Ohio - Municipal Government via Facebook)
• Check out the new Lakewood Family Room programming at Cove Community Center! There are two excellent art programs from Wave Space Studio, one for Elementary kids after school on Tuesdays and one for PreK kids on Fridays. Preregistration is recommended, but walk-ins are also accepted. (City of Lakewood)

You're officially in the loop for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with a new update.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.