Hamilton protesters demand end to Flock license plate readers

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - Protesters gathered outside Hamilton City Hall Wednesday, demanding city leaders remove Flock license plate reader cameras.

Protesters said their streets are already safe and they don’t want to be tracked to prove it.

‘It’s all about control’

Jay Kidd, a protester, said the cameras give a private company access to residents’ information.

“It’s all about control. And then this private company, Flock, takes all this information, learns your habits, and regurgitates it,” Kidd said.

Protesters said the issue goes beyond security concerns and represents a threat to their Fourth Amendment rights.

Ineke Haight, a protester and Ohio native, said Hamilton is peaceful and she does not want her hometown turned into a surveillance zone.

“We’re not to that point to where we need this. We’re not there yet... Stop the Flock,” Haight said.

Data retention questioned

Police say the cameras only keep data for 30 days. Protesters said they do not accept that timeline.

“How long is too long to store your personal info? Any violation of this—even if it’s 30 seconds—is too much,” Kidd said.

Protester Adrian Rye said there is also concern about human error, pointing to cases across the country where police allegedly abused the technology to track exes or spouses.

“Already been fifty-plus cases of police misusing the cameras... tracking their spouse, ex, or random civilians,” Rye said.

Supporters cite safety benefits

Former Cincinnati FOP President Dan Hils said in a statement that there is nothing new about a plate being read by police or government, and that Flock is a force multiplier in locating a wanted vehicle. Hils said thousands of missing people have been found and countless stolen vehicles have been located as a result.

Protesters said they plan to attend the city council’s next meeting to voice their concerns.

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