Ohio and Arkansas Cities Move to Ban Flock Safety Cameras

Local governments in Ohio and Arkansas are taking opposing actions regarding the use of automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) technology provided by Flock Safety. In Fayetteville, the City Council voted 7-0 on Tuesday to approve an ordinance prohibiting the purchase and use of such readers. Proposed by Councilman Bob Stafford, the measure serves as a preemptive ban to address privacy and due process concerns, despite the Fayetteville Police Department not currently operating the systems.

Meanwhile, the Fairfax Village Council in Ohio is facing intense community pressure to terminate its existing contract with Flock Safety before it renews on November 19 for two years. Residents, including Michael Nork, have urged the council to avoid automated enforcement, citing privacy risks. Nork presented a list of over 60 citizens opposing the contract during a recent meeting.

The trend toward restriction is growing in the region, following a recent decision by Hamilton County, Ohio, to permanently end its use of Flock cameras. While some officials in Fayetteville expressed that a ban was unnecessary or that a moratorium would have been preferable, the council ultimately passed the prohibition unanimously among those present.