STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — The use of Flock automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras became the focus of discussion during this week’s Steubenville City Council meeting, where residents and city officials debated whether the technology improves public safety or raises concerns about privacy.
The cameras, which were installed in Steubenville last September, use artificial intelligence to capture images of passing vehicles and record license plate information. Law enforcement agencies use the system as an investigative tool to help locate suspect vehicles, missing persons, and other vehicles connected to criminal investigations.
During the meeting, resident Marc Gregory questioned whether the cameras are necessary, saying police officers successfully investigated crimes long before the technology existed.
City Manager Michael Johnson defended the system, saying the cameras have already proven valuable in local investigations. He pointed to a recent shooting in Steubenville, saying the technology helped investigators identify vehicles believed to be connected to the incident while traditional police work remained a key part of the investigation.
According to publicly available mapping data, Steubenville has approximately 19 known Flock cameras, including several located in the city’s North End.
Fourth Ward Councilman Royal Mayo also raised concerns during the meeting, questioning why a larger number of cameras are located in his ward than in other parts of the city. He said unequal camera placement could result in some neighborhoods being monitored more heavily than others and called for additional public discussion.
Steubenville Police Chief Wes Crawford later issued a statement explaining that the department uses the Flock system as a force multiplier during investigations. Crawford said officers must enter specific vehicle information and document the reason for every search conducted within the system, with all searches being tracked and subject to administrative oversight.
Mayo announced plans to hold a Safety Committee meeting to examine how the cameras are being used, how long data is retained, and whether the current deployment will become permanent.
Mayor Ralph Petrella said he also plans to discuss the issue with the city’s new police chief in the coming weeks as city leaders continue reviewing the program.
