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A newly released security video shows the events leading up to a breach at Cleveland’s Nottingham Water Treatment Plant, where a security guard reportedly slept through the incident. The footage, obtained by FOX 8’s I-Team through a records request, captures the entire breach, sparking serious concerns about the plant’s security measures.
The Breach Incident
The video shows a car crashing through a fence at the water plant, an area strictly off-limits to the public. The driver, who admitted to falling asleep at the wheel, can be seen driving around the plant’s property before getting out of the car to call for a tow truck.
Despite the commotion, the security guard on duty failed to respond. According to the city, the guard was asleep during the entire incident and never noticed the car breach. The video even shows the tow truck driver arriving, banging on a window to wake the guard.
The guard reportedly failed to log any details about the car or the breach and did not inform a supervisor about the incident.
Union Defends Guard Amid Disciplinary Action
The guard was suspended for 10 days following the incident but was not terminated. The union representing the guard, the Ohio Patrolman’s Benevolent Association, is challenging the disciplinary action, arguing that the investigation was inadequate. According to attorney Dannielle Chaffin, the guard claims she was not asleep but was suffering from medical issues at the time. The union also contends that someone in a dispatching center typically monitors the cameras and should have noticed the breach.
Ongoing Concerns About Plant Security
While the Cleveland Water Department insists that there was “no threat” to the water supply during the breach, the video suggests that staff were unaware of the incident as it unfolded. This raises questions about the plant’s security protocols and the extent of oversight during such breaches.
The guard’s punishment is currently under appeal, with no indication of when a decision will be made. Meanwhile, the city continues to face scrutiny over how such a significant security lapse could occur without any immediate response.
