Independence Kentucky Removes Flock License Plate Cameras After Public Outcry

The city of Independence, Kentucky, is immediately removing its network of 10 Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras. Mayor Christopher Reinersman announced the decision on August 24, 2026, after a city council meeting on August 17 revealed overwhelming public opposition. Residents cited concerns regarding government surveillance and Fourth Amendment privacy rights.

Since 2024, the city used the cameras to create a virtual gate around the municipality. Police Chief Brian Ferayorni and Reinersman previously defended the technology, noting 31 documented successes in cases involving assault, theft, and stolen vehicles since December 2023. Ferayorni maintained that the data was only used when officers were actively investigating criminal acts or searching for missing persons.

Despite his belief that the cameras are sound law enforcement tools and do not pose the privacy threats often portrayed on social media, Reinersman stated that elected officials have an obligation to respect the will of the residents. Independence joins several other regional jurisdictions, including Newport, Fort Mitchell, and Oxford, Ohio, that recently discontinued their Flock programs due to community pushback.

In response to these broader privacy concerns, Flock Safety is reducing its default data retention period from 30 days to seven and making misuse detection mandatory for all its customers.