Bill would allow Ohio troopers to police casinos

COLUMBUS (AP) — A key state lawmaker isn’t comfortable with a proposal to let the Ohio State Highway Patrol investigate crimes within Ohio’s new casinos.

Republican state Rep. Matt Huffman of Lima said during a hearing Tuesday that he has concerns about extending the patrol’s turf to private property. The Columbus Dispatch reports Huffman is chairman of a House panel overseeing legislation related to gambling.

State casino regulators have temporarily hired investigators in the state attorney general’s office to handle law enforcement in the casinos coming to Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo. The patrol also sought that work.

A bill would turn casino policing power over to the patrol’s troopers, who currently watch over state highways and investigate crimes on state property.

Huffman says local law enforcers are leery of expanding the patrol’s jurisdiction.