CAMBRIDGE, Ohio — Local residents are being encouraged to attend an upcoming Cambridge City Council meeting to raise concerns about automated license plate reader cameras installed in the community.
The “Block the Flock: Cambridge City Council Meeting” event is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 14, at 6 p.m.
Organizers say the gathering will focus on Flock Safety cameras and questions surrounding how the surveillance technology was approved, funded, contracted and governed. They are calling for greater public discussion, legislative oversight and accountability from local officials.
Flock Safety cameras automatically photograph vehicles and record information such as license plate numbers, vehicle characteristics, locations and times. Law enforcement agencies can use the collected information during criminal investigations.
Supporters of the technology say the cameras can help authorities locate stolen vehicles and identify vehicles connected to crimes. Critics have raised concerns about privacy, data retention, information sharing and the level of public oversight involved in their use.
The event description invites Cambridge residents, community members and taxpayers to attend the council meeting and participate in the discussion.
