Cleveland and Ohio universities continue using Flock license‑plate cameras amid privacy debate

Ohio State University and Case Western Reserve University have partnered with Flock Safety to install license‑plate reader cameras on their campuses. The devices capture vehicle images and store them in Flock’s database, which the institutions say aids crime prevention, while critics warn the data could be accessed by immigration authorities. Ohio State confirmed the use of more than 60 cameras, and Case Western Reserve’s contract runs through 2027, with officials asserting that data is shared only with designated local police agencies.

In Cleveland, City Council voted 9‑6 to extend the city’s contract for 100 Flock cameras for another six months at a cost of $125,000, while also imposing a moratorium on new data‑center projects. New legislation prohibits the company from sharing data with third parties, requires a transparency portal, and limits access to the Northeast Ohio Regional Fusion Center. The council’s decision reflects a split among council members and residents over public‑safety benefits versus privacy concerns.