CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The Chillicothe Police Department accessed its network of automated license plate reader cameras 6,358 times over the past 12 months, with the majority of searches tied to burglary and drug trafficking investigations, according to audit logs obtained by the Scioto Valley Guardian.
The department has operated at least 11 Flock Safety surveillance cameras positioned throughout the city for the past few years, according to a Facebook post from the agency. The cameras capture images of passing vehicles, including license plates, make, model, and color, to help track stolen cars, missing persons, or vehicles linked to crimes.
Top search categories
The audit data reveals burglary investigations accounted for approximately 2,550 camera searches, making it the most common reason officers accessed the system. Drug trafficking investigations generated about 2,050 searches, while interdiction operations resulted in roughly 925 searches.
The logs show when the cameras were accessed, the reason for the search, and in some cases, the identity of the officer conducting the query.
How the technology works
Flock Safety, an Atlanta-based company founded in 2017, specializes in surveillance technology for law enforcement and communities. Its Automated License Plate Reader cameras use machine learning to scan and analyze vehicle data in real time, sending alerts to officers if a plate matches a database of wanted vehicles.
Pricing for the Falcon model, Flock’s primary ALPR camera, runs about $2,500 per unit annually, plus a one-time installation fee ranging from $250 to $650, covering maintenance and cloud storage, the company said.
Privacy concerns mounting
Many locals have expressed concerns over potential privacy implications, with some taking to social media, calling the camera system “Big Brother In Training.”
The cameras record vehicle movements without requiring reasonable suspicion or a warrant, raising questions about how long data is retained and who has access to the information.
Regional adoption
Flock cameras are being used by the thousands nationwide. In Wheelersburg, Ohio, at least two Flock cameras are utilized. In Hillsboro, two Flock cameras are positioned just outside the Lowe’s parking lot.
