The Butler County sheriff said he wouldn't apologize for using Flock cameras amid a push for increased accountability in Greater Cincinnati's license plate reader cameras.
On a Sept. 3 livestream, Sheriff Richard Jones said he understood the public's concern regarding the cameras, which allow law enforcement to track any vehicle's location without a warrant by capturing photos of its license plate each time it appears in view of a camera. But, Jones said, the cameras were necessary.
"I want you to realize," Jones said, "this a tool that is needed." Officers who abuse the cameras will be fired or prosecuted, he said.
The technology has received bipartisan criticism locally. In July, two Butler County Flock cameras were sawed in half.
Jones said increased
regulations were necessary regarding the technology. He said he reached out to legislators and sheriffs' offices with the hopes of increasing guardrails.
Jones also spoke at length about how technology has already disrupted the privacy of modern life.
"Your cell phone knows everywhere that you go," Jones said, repeating a talking point made by Flock's chief strategist. "Hell, the NSA already listens to all your phone calls."
An Enquirer review of police records found more than 1,100 license plate reader cameras, namely those produced by Flock Safety, operate across Greater Cincinnati.
Agencies increasing surveillance tech transparency
Law enforcement agencies have argued the technology has assisted with investigations into serious crimes, including homicides. Civil liberties advocates say the collection and storage of vehicle and location information for government use shows the cameras' true purpose is surveillance.
Recent weeks have seen an increase in communication by Greater Cincinnati law enforcement agencies about how their departments use license plate reader cameras.
In Northern Kentucky, Newport, Erlanger, Fort Thomas and Independence discontinued their use of the cameras entirely.
"We were elected to serve the residents of Independence, and when our community speaks this clearly, we have an obligation to listen," said Independence Mayor Chris Reinersman.
Delhi Township police and Wyoming police have launched transparency websites which list successful use cases of Flock, including arresting a homicide suspect and finding a missing elderly man.
"The use of this technology is governed by department policies and established safeguards," wrote the Delhi Township Police Department in a release announcing the website. "The system is audited, and officers are accountable for how they access and use the information."
Gillian Stawiszynski and Quinlan Bentley contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Butler County Sheriff says Flock cameras are necessary amid pushback
