2 Tri-State cities stop using Flock cameras

FORT MITCHELL, Ky. (WXIX) - Two more Tri-State communities will no longer use Flock cameras.

Following strong resident opposition over surveillance and privacy concerns, Fort Mitchell in Northern Kentucky and Oxford in Butler County are dismantling the automated license plate readers.

Fort Mitchell is the second Northern Kentucky city to ditch the technology after Newport.

“Last night, we had a very productive and respectful discussion regarding the City’s use of Flock cameras. I want to thank both the City Council and our residents for their thoughtful, informed, and spirited comments throughout the discussion.

“After carefully considering the concerns and perspectives presented, we have made the decision to terminate the City’s use of Flock cameras, effective immediately.

“I appreciate everyone who took the time to participate in this important conversation. Our goal is always to balance public safety with transparency and trust of the residents we serve.”

Fort Mitchell originally acquired the cameras in 2024 for $34,000.

FOX19 NOW reached out to the Fort Mitchell Police Department Wednesday for comment from the chief or a police spokesman.

We were immediately transferred to the city administrator, who told us only the mayor is discussing this issue.

Flock camera controversy

Flock cameras have become controversial because they track everyone, not just suspects, raising severe privacy and mass surveillance concerns.

Critics like the ACLU argue they build unregulated, searchable databases of law-abiding citizens’ movements, which are prone to police abuse, false positive stops, and the tracking of vulnerable groups (like those seeking reproductive healthcare or immigrants).

As of August 2026, at least 23 jurisdictions across the country have canceled contracts or voted to reject the technology due to intense public backlash over privacy, data security, and potential constitutional violations, the Washington Examiner reported Aug. 3.

Law enforcement supports Flock cameras as a critical force multiplier that helps solve crimes rapidly with limited staff.

The systems provide real-time alerts for stolen cars, missing persons (Amber Alerts), and wanted suspects, while the searchable “vehicle fingerprint” database allows investigators to quickly track down leads with only partial vehicle descriptions.

Shutting them down directly endangers officers and the community, emphasizing that real-time vehicle alerts provide vital physical safety warnings before an officer even approaches a vehicle, according to local police unions and organizations.

Flock cameras recently helped Mason police quickly track down at least two armed suspects who fled crime scenes, including a gunman who shot and killed a former co-worker at Carter Lumber on July 22.

On June 8, authorities pulled a man off a ride at Kings Island and arrested him shortly after he threatened a juvenile Culver’s employee with a gun as she brought him food in the drive-thru line, police records show.

Because of Flock, police knew within minutes the suspect traveled from the fast food restaurant off Tylersville Road just a few miles away to the amusement park.

The community was safer because of it.

The traumatized teen who believed the suspect was going to shoot her and the homicide victim’s family all had instant justice.

Flock cameras save lives: Dan Hils

Prominent local law enforcement and legal officials are mounting a fierce defense of Flock license plate readers, calling the controversial cameras a critical and constitutional life-saving tool.

Proponents argue the technology is simply a modern extension of basic police work.

“The very purpose of the license plate on your vehicle is to identify its owner. There is absolutely nothing new about your plate being read by the government/police,” said former Cincinnati police union president Dan Hils, who now heads consulting firm Front Line Advisers.

Hils described the system as a “force multiplier” that has saved lives.

“Thousands of missing people have been found, countless stolen vehicles have been located and many serious offenders arrested within minutes of fleeing the scene of their crimes.

“Despite my life’s work in law enforcement, I don’t believe in a surveillance state. I simply don’t see that in Flock technology.

Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher McDowell calls Flock cameras a common-sense public safety tool.

“When you drive on a public street, there is no reasonable expectation of privacy in a license plate that is plainly visible to everyone around you. The same technology in Flock cameras is available and widely used in every police car,” he said Wednesday morning.

“Simply put, they save lives and solve crimes.”

Butler County Police Chiefs Association President and Trenton Police Chief Patrick Carr warned that stripping police of the technology would severely hinder local public safety operations.

“No personal, identifiable information is obtained by the camera,” Carr noted, adding that any further investigation requires heavily regulated databases.

“Flock captures nothing more than a still photo of a vehicle and license plate. No personal, identifiable information is obtained by the camera, and any person can see the same thing if standing on the sidewalk or driving down the road.

“The images stored by Flock are only accessed for specific investigatory reasons, and even then, law enforcement must utilize other, heavily regulated, databases such as Ohio LEADS, to further the investigation and obtain any personal information.

The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects against unreasonable searches, but vehicles and license plates in plain view on public roads don’t have an expectation of privacy.

“Therefore, utilizing Flock isn’t seen by Federal Courts as a ‘search’ under the Fourth Amendment and not a constitutional violation.

“The Flock system is nothing more than a tool that law enforcement uses, and it is an extremely valuable tool. To lose such a valuable tool would be detrimental to law enforcement operations in any community.”

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