STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — Debate over automated license plate reader cameras continued at Steubenville City Council this week, with Fourth Ward Councilman Royal Mayo again calling for the city’s Flock cameras to be removed and several residents voicing concerns about surveillance and privacy.
During the Aug. 11 meeting, Mayo argued that because City Council did not vote to install the cameras, the city should not require a council vote to remove them. He said the cameras should be taken down and, if officials want to continue using the technology, the issue should then be brought before council for a vote.
Mayo said his concerns extend beyond the cameras themselves to how vehicle information is collected and stored. He said he is not opposed to cameras generally but objects to Flock’s ability to retain vehicle data and questioned why council was not notified before the system was installed.
Councilman Dave Albaugh responded that information collected by the cameras is stored for 30 days, according to the meeting account.
The issue has generated debate at multiple recent council meetings. Earlier this month, city officials said Steubenville’s cameras were purchased using grant funding rather than city funds. City officials have also defended the technology as a tool for identifying vehicles associated with serious crimes, stolen vehicles and endangered persons.
The city operates 11 Flock Safety automated license plate readers, according to the Atlas of Surveillance.
Residents also addressed the issue during Tuesday’s public forum.
Steubenville resident Marc Gregory again spoke against the cameras and questioned why most council members had remained silent during Mayo’s discussion. Gregory asked Mayor Ralph Petrella for his position on the technology.
Petrella said he is generally in favor of the cameras but raised several questions of his own, including whether collected data can be sold, how the information is being used and what safeguards are in place.
Third Ward resident John Thornton also spoke against the cameras. Thornton said he recognizes potential benefits of traditional security cameras but is concerned about the tracking capabilities associated with automated license plate reader systems.
Thornton said he believes the technology raises broader questions about how much surveillance residents should accept, regardless of crimes the cameras could potentially help investigators solve. He described the cameras as “a step too far.” According to the meeting account, several people in attendance expressed agreement when Thornton asked the audience whether others shared his concerns.
The discussion follows several weeks of debate in Steubenville over Flock cameras and the balance between their potential value to law enforcement and concerns surrounding privacy, data collection and government oversight.
No action to remove the cameras was taken during the meeting.
Source: Strong Towns Steubenville
