Guernsey County Residents Raise Concerns Over Flock Cameras
CAMBRIDGE, OH – A larger-than-usual crowd attended Monday night’s Cambridge City Council meeting to voice concerns about Flock license plate-reading cameras operating throughout Guernsey County.
Before public comments began, Cambridge Police Chief Dave Peoples explained how the technology works and described the cameras as an extra set of eyes for law enforcement. Peoples said the cameras capture still images of the rear of passing vehicles and check license plates against law enforcement databases. He also said access to the collected information is limited.
Five Flock cameras are currently operating at four locations across Guernsey County.
After the chief’s presentation, community members were given up to five minutes each to address council. Fifteen residents spoke about the cameras, with 14 opposing the technology and one speaking in favor.
Several opponents questioned how the cameras were introduced and said the community was not given enough information.
“We didn’t know about it, and I think that’s primarily one of our biggest concerns, is that this was done without any conversation with the community, no transparency at all.” Amy Kissiger said.
Other concerns centered on Flock Safety retaining the collected data, who can access it, and how the technology could be used in the future.
Another resident distinguished between using technology during a criminal investigation and collecting information from everyday drivers.
“There’s a difference between using technology to investigate a crime and creating a system capable of tracking the movements of innocent people who have done nothing wrong yet.” Geno Riley said.
Some speakers also expressed concerns about being recorded while traveling to work, church or visiting family. One resident asked council to commit to not using the cameras for automated citations in the future.
Following the meeting, WHIZ’s Shylin Costello asked Council President Jeff Leonard for comment, but he said he would pass.
