Police restrict Flock data access

City pulls out of national plate reader network

Anna Lynn Winfrey and Jordan Laird

Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY NETWORK

The Columbus Division of Police has disabled the “nationwide network function” in its Flock license plate reader system, a police spokesperson told The Dispatch.

That decision appears to box out other agencies that contract with Flock unless Columbus gives them access to its data.

“This decision was made by division leadership as an additional step to lessen the risk that our data could be used for purposes inconsistent with division goals,” Sgt. Joseph Albert wrote in an email. “We are maintaining1-to-1sharing relationships with appropriately vetted agencies outside the state of Ohio.”

Albert and other police spokespeople have not responded to multiple followup requests to confirm if the move blocks outside access to data and/or also restricts access for Columbus police to access the system. A police spokesperson promised answers in an e-mail the morning of June 12.

Flock’s national license plate network aggregates over 20 billion monthly license plate scans from over 5,000 communities in 49 states, according to the company’s website.

The network has come under scrutiny amid President Donald Trump’s immi-

gration enforcement crackdown. Data from Cleveland and Dayton appeared in immigration-related searches of Flock data by other law enforcement agencies. Dayton has suspended its Flock program and put bags over the cameras.

The Dispatch has a pending records request for Flock audit records to determine which agencies accessed Columbus’ data.

Earlier this month, some Columbus City Council members questioned the use of Flock and asked the division to audit its data to determine if it had been accessed for immigration enforcement.

Albert’s email didn’t specify which agencies the division would continue to share data with. “I’m glad that they’re taking these steps; I think that people are being heard and that they’ve heard our concerns at City Council that we’ve been voicing for several months, but I still have more questions about the specifics about what exactly this means,” said Councilmember Melissa Green said.

She added that she believes in giving police “the latest and greatest technology” to help solve crimes, but the city should not be using Flock cameras while still considering the implications.

“Do we have the ability to put enough filters and guardrails in place to protect people who may otherwise be harmed by this technology, or is the risk of the safety of some for the sake of the safety of others too great? ... Until we have answers to those questions, we should not be using this technology,” Green said.

Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla also said that while the withdrawal from the national database is a “step in the right direction,” she’s looking forward to a public hearing so people can ask questions.

“As we use tools that surveil us, people should have a say,” Barroso de Padilla said.

She said that some technology can help police, but she can’t “in good conscience” support a tool that can put people at risk, adding that she is one of nine council members and a majority would be needed to move away from Flock.

Albert said that Flock “remains one of many successful tools” police use to investigate crime. Columbus has been using Flock cameras since 2024. There are nearly 50 license plate reading cameras in the city with plans for nearly 30 more.

The company and its municipal contracts have come under increased scrutiny in recent months amid reporting on the data being used for immigration enforcement.

Dispatch breaking news reporter Shahid Meighan contributed to this report.

Anna Lynn Winfrey covers regional/ suburban trending news for The Columbus Dispatch. She can be reached at awinfrey@dispatch.com.

Solar-powered Flock cameras read license plate data around the city. Columbus police said that they have disabled a national search function with the platform.

COURTNEY HERGESHEIMER/COLUMBUS DISPATCH