09/10/2026
Over the past several weeks, many residents have reached out to me with questions and concerns about FLOCK cameras in Berea. I have had many of the same questions myself, and I did not want to provide residents with information that was incomplete or incorrect. FLOCK cameras were installed prior to me taking office and I wanted to be sure I got some of your questions answered. I believe transparency is important. Residents should be able to ask questions about technology being used in our community, and elected officials should be willing to seek out those answers. This post is NOT intended to tell residents what they should think about FLOCK. My goal is simply to make sure residents have accurate information about what the system does, what it does not do, how information is retained, and how access is monitored.
I reached out directly to the Berea Police Department to get answers to some of the most common questions. I want to share that information with Ward 2 residents.
Here is a list of some of the questions I brought forward to our Police Department and their answers:
⚫️What exactly do Berea’s Flock cameras capture, and what information do they collect?
The Flock cameras capture still images of the back of vehicles on the public roadway. The information that is collected related to vehicles is the readily available details of the vehicle, including the license plate, color, make, model, etc. This information is only available for a short period of time, currently 30 days, but that will be reduced by the new year. Flock data does not identify the vehicle owner. This information would have to be accessed using other law enforcement data bases such as LEADS. Misuse of the LEADS database can be a criminal offense.
⚫️Where are all of the Flock cameras currently located in Berea, and are there plans to add additional cameras?
There are currently a total of 10 Flock cameras placed at the major entrances to the City of Berea. There are currently no plans to add additional cameras
⚫️How long is Flock camera data stored, and when is that information permanently deleted?
Data is stored for 30 days, but Flock has indicated that this will be reduced to as little as 7 days at the beginning of 2027. Once the retention time has been reached, the data is no longer available.
⚫️Who has access to Berea’s Flock data, and what safeguards are in place to prevent inappropriate or unauthorized searches?
Sworn members of the Berea Police Department including patrol and detectives, have individual log in accounts for Flock. Berea only shares network data with other law enforcement agencies that have requested access. Flock has both organization and network wide audits that identify each time a search was conducted, and by whom. Flock utilizes multi-factor authentication to log into the system to maintain user integrity.
⚫️Can other law-enforcement agencies access or search Berea’s Flock data? If so, which agencies and under what circumstances?
Other law enforcement agencies can request access to search Berea's Flock data. Each agency can determine what type of data is shared. Those agencies would also be required to select a legitimate law enforcement reason to do so in the search field. This is also captured in the network audit. Sharing can be revoked at any time. This access is what allows Flock to be used effectively when attempting to locate missing endangered persons or stolen vehicles. Berea was recently able to determine that a missing person with dementia had traveled well out of Berea by utilizing other Flock devices to determine a geographic area that person's vehicle was last observed. Berea alerted law enforcement in that area, and that person was located a short time later.
⚫️Does Flock use facial recognition, or can the system identify or track individuals in any way?
Flock does not utilize facial recognition. The system does not track individuals. It simply records vehicle features. Berea Flock cameras are at fixed locations at the major entrances to the city. The cameras do not capture video or movements throughout our city.
⚫️Can Flock be used to track a vehicle’s movements over time, and what requirements must an officer meet before conducting that type of search?
Flock information could possibly show a vehicle's movements into our city over the retention period of time. An officer would have to have a legitimate law enforcement purpose to conduct a search that could yield that or any other information. As referenced in the document, Berea utilizes Lexipol to deliver a comprehensive and up to date policy manual. There is a policy that covers the usage of ALPR (Flock) technology. Misuse of this information or technology could result in discipline for the employee.
⚫️Has FLOCK actually helped Berea?
According to the Police Department, there have been multiple instances where FLOCK has helped with criminal investigations and locating missing individuals.
--Locating missing and endangered people, including elderly residents with dementia, missing juveniles, and individuals experiencing a welfare concern.
--Helping locate suspects involved in hit-skip accidents and other criminal investigations.
--Solving theft cases, including a grocery theft at Tower in the Park and scrap metal thefts.
--Identifying vehicles and suspects involved in reckless driving and other incidents, allowing officers to investigate without continuing an unsafe pursuit.
--Assisting in a multi-state $150,000 elderly fraud investigation by identifying a suspect vehicle.
--Helping locate two missing juveniles, ultimately assisting the U.S. Marshals Task Force.
--Helping locate a missing juvenile and the adult accompanying her, which resulted in multiple sex-offense charges involving the minor.
If you have additional questions about FLOCK cameras that I haven't addressed here, please reach out to me. I am happy to bring those questions forward and get answers from the appropriate department. I appreciate everyone who has respectfully taken the time to reach out and ask questions.
