08/26/2026
I know the use of Flock cameras and similar technology has become a concern for many people in our community. A number of residents have reached out to me to share their concerns, and I want to be clear that I too share concerns about how quickly this technology has evolved and the potential impact on the privacy of law-abiding citizens.
At the same time, I strongly support law enforcement and believe our Lake County Sheriff's Office needs the tools necessary to catch criminals and keep our community safe. I have always been supportive of the resources and tools our Sheriff’s Office has requested from us here at Painesville Township, and that has not changed.
As I currently understand it, what many of us originally understood to be relatively simple license plate readers now have much more advanced capabilities, including AI-powered searches, data storage and broader search capabilities ( https://www.flocksafety.com/enhanced-lpr-stop-crime-patterns-that-standard-lprs-cant-see )the number of these cameras on our roads continues to increase, so does the amount of information being collected and the importance of making sure we have the right balance between public safety and personal privacy. This technology is evolving quickly, and I believe it is important that our laws and safeguards keep pace with it.
Because of that, I am spending a lot of time researching this issue and learning more about exactly how these systems operate today. I want to be thorough and well informed. I have requested to meet with our Sheriff’s Office to ask questions, learn more about their procedures and the safeguards they currently have in place, and get a better understanding of how these cameras and the information they collect are being used locally. I will be sure to report back as I learn more.
I have also reached out to our district’s State Senator and State Representative, urging them to take a serious look at this issue. While there are steps that can be taken locally, many of the larger issues surrounding this technology go beyond the authority and boundaries of any one township or community. The State has the ability to establish a consistent legal framework and meaningful safeguards that apply across Ohio. I have encouraged our legislators to work toward reasonable statewide standards and regulations that protect individual rights and privacy while preserving the ability of law enforcement to use these tools effectively.
I don't believe this needs to be a choice between supporting law enforcement and protecting individual rights and privacy. We can and should do both.
Law enforcement should have effective tools to keep us safe, while everyday, law-abiding citizens should also have reasonable protections regarding how information about their movements is collected, stored, accessed and shared. I am in no way suggesting that there is any misuse occurring locally. I simply feel it is important for me to be fully educated and informed on the topic and to understand the safeguards that are currently in place.
Finding that balance is important. I intend to keep asking questions, learning more and working to make sure we get it right.
