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Ohio Grand Jury Declines to Indict Man for Destroying Flock Camera Amid Growing Public Backlash

Ohio Grand Jury Declines to Indict Man for Destroying Flock Camera Amid Growing Public Backlash

A grand jury in Clermont County, Ohio, has declined to indict Cody Morelock, a man charged with felony vandalism for allegedly destroying a Flock automatic license plate reader camera. Police in Union Township, a Cincinnati suburb, accused Morelock of disassembling the camera, its support pole, and solar panel on June 13. Investigators identified Morelock using surveillance footage from other cameras and information linked to a credit card and customer rewards account. The estimated damage was over $1,000. Morelock was released on a $10,000 bond, but the grand jury's decision resulted in the dismissal of the charges. This incident occurs amidst increasing public resistance to Flock cameras, with dozens of units being vandalized nationwide, and a loosely organized 'De-Flock America Night' event promoted on social media for Halloween.

Ohio Grand Jury Declines to Indict Man Accused of Destroying Flock ALPR Camera

Ohio Grand Jury Declines to Indict Man Accused of Destroying Flock ALPR Camera

A grand jury in Ohio has refused to bring felony charges against Cody Morelock, a Clermont County man accused of destroying a Flock automatic license plate reader (ALPR) camera. In June, police in Union Township, a Cincinnati suburb, arrested Morelock, alleging he removed bolts from an ALPR pole, causing it to topple and destroy the surveillance camera and its solar panel. Despite what prosecutors considered 'iron-clad' evidence, including surveillance footage from multiple nearby cameras, credit card information, and a customer rewards account, the grand jury declined to indict Morelock. Consequently, all charges against him have been dropped.

Quincy Police Department Limits Access to Flock License Plate Camera Data Amid Misuse Concerns

Quincy Police Department Limits Access to Flock License Plate Camera Data Amid Misuse Concerns

The Quincy Police Department has restricted access to Flock Safety’s license plate camera platform to only 50 out of its approximately 240 officers. This decision follows growing concerns and reports of misuse of the surveillance technology across Massachusetts. Searches conducted by Quincy police are now audited and must be linked to an investigation with a case number, and confined to the city’s borders. This move comes as other departments in the state, such as Wellesley, have ended their pilot programs or contracts with Flock Safety due to similar issues. The broader context includes multiple investigations into police officers for misusing the technology, including cases of alleged stalking and unauthorized tracking of individuals. Critics argue that the technology facilitates widespread sharing of personal data and intrusive searches without warrants, and some departments have cooperated with federal agents for immigration purposes.

14-Year-Old Accused of Shooting Family Member, Driving Victim to Cincinnati Hospital

14-Year-Old Accused of Shooting Family Member, Driving Victim to Cincinnati Hospital

A 14-year-old in Colerain Township, Ohio, has been accused of shooting an adult family member multiple times and subsequently driving the victim to Mercy Health-West Hospital in Green Township. Colerain Township police responded to a report of shots fired in the 3200 block of Nandale Drive, finding evidence of a shooting but no victim at the scene. Shortly after, authorities learned an adult male with multiple gunshot wounds arrived at the hospital. Investigators identified the 14-year-old, who drove the victim, as the suspected shooter. The teenager was arrested by the Colerain Township Police Department's Criminal Investigative Unit and faces charges of second-degree felony felonious assault and third-degree felony tampering with evidence. The teen was transported to the Hamilton County Juvenile Court Youth Center. The victim, who sustained serious injuries, was later transferred to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Police have not yet released details regarding the motive behind the shooting ...

Flock AI Surveillance Cameras Face Widespread Backlash and Vandalism Across the U.S.

Flock AI Surveillance Cameras Face Widespread Backlash and Vandalism Across the U.S.

Flock Safety, a company that deploys AI-powered automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and surveillance cameras, is experiencing significant backlash across the United States. The company has installed approximately 120,000 cameras in every U.S. state except Alaska, with 7,000 law enforcement agencies, representing 40% of the nation's police departments, utilizing their technology. While Flock claims its cameras have aided in a million criminal investigations annually, including solving car thefts and locating missing persons, recent reports reveal widespread misuse. Instances include police officers illegally searching the system to track former partners, law enforcement using the network to surveil undocumented immigrants in states where it's illegal, and tracking individuals for minor offenses like transporting legal cannabis across state lines. This has led to a dual backlash: political, with dozens of cities and counties terminating contracts, and vigilante, involving physical vandalism of the camera...

Atlantic Columnist Defends Flock Safety's ALPR Technology Amidst Growing Scrutiny

Atlantic Columnist Defends Flock Safety's ALPR Technology Amidst Growing Scrutiny

Charles Lehman, an Atlantic columnist and fellow at the Manhattan Institute, has published an article defending Flock Safety's automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology. This defense comes as Flock Safety faces increasing criticism and cities nationwide consider ditching the technology due to concerns over privacy and potential abuse. Critics argue that ALPRs, which have rapidly spread from homeowners' associations to police departments, are being used to track individuals seeking legal abortion options in other states, and that federal officers are leveraging local law enforcement to bypass legal restrictions on their own searches. There are also documented instances of officers misusing the technology for personal reasons, such as tracking ex-partners. Lehman's article suggests that while research on Flock's effectiveness is still developing, ALPRs are likely a valuable tool for modern police forces and that privacy concerns can be addressed through 'smart regulation' rather than outright bans. He...

Massachusetts Towns Terminate Flock Safety Contracts Amid Data Privacy and Security Concerns

Massachusetts Towns Terminate Flock Safety Contracts Amid Data Privacy and Security Concerns

Two more Massachusetts towns, East Bridgewater and Grafton, have announced the termination of their contracts with Flock Safety, a company providing automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology. East Bridgewater Police Chief Michael Jenkins cited "concerns regarding data practices and security" and community feedback as reasons for discontinuing the program. Grafton Police Chief Neil A. Minardi also confirmed the deactivation of all Flock devices due to growing community concerns and incidents of vandalism and theft. These decisions follow similar actions by other Massachusetts communities, including Hopkinton, which terminated its contract after a legal review found deficiencies, and Lynn, where two police officers were placed on administrative leave following an audit of ALPR searches. New Bedford temporarily halted its use of Flock after an officer was accused of misusing the system to track an ex-girlfriend. Salem and Framingham have also ended their relationships with Flock Safety, with Cambridge ...

Vance will campaign at the Ohio steel plant where his grandfather once worked

Vance will campaign at the Ohio steel plant where his grandfather once worked

Vice President JD Vance is returning to his hometown Friday to campaign for Republican candidates at a steel plant where his grandfather worked

Felony Vandalism Charges Dismissed Against Clermont County Man for Damaging Flock Camera

Felony Vandalism Charges Dismissed Against Clermont County Man for Damaging Flock Camera

Felony vandalism charges against Cody Morelock, a Clermont County man accused of destroying a Flock camera in Union Township, have been dismissed. Morelock was alleged to have damaged the camera system on Mount Carmel-Tobasco Road near Glenrose Lane on June 13. According to Union Township police, investigators claimed Morelock removed bolts securing the camera, causing the camera, solar panel, and support pole to fall, and subsequently destroyed the equipment. Surveillance footage from other nearby cameras reportedly helped identify Morelock as the suspect. The Flock camera is leased by the Union Township Police Department, and the estimated damage exceeded $1,000. However, a Clermont County grand jury ultimately declined to indict Morelock on the felony charges.

Stow Police Department Terminates Contract with Flock Safety Following Officer Misconduct Allegations

Stow Police Department Terminates Contract with Flock Safety Following Officer Misconduct Allegations

The Stow Police Department (SPD) has ended its relationship with Flock Safety, a provider of automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, after one of its officers, Jason Rogers, was accused of misusing the surveillance technology and other police databases. Officer Rogers was placed on unpaid leave on July 31 and faces termination proceedings and criminal charges. The allegations stem from a complaint received on June 18 from a Worcester County resident, who was known to Rogers, claiming improper access to personal information. An internal affairs investigation, lasting four weeks, found that Rogers allegedly ran vehicle information through Flock Safety multiple times for no legitimate law enforcement reason and accessed the state's criminal records database at least five times for non-law enforcement purposes, which is illegal under state law. Stow Police Chief Michael Sallese terminated the department's contract with Flock Safety as a direct result of Rogers's alleged conduct, with the last camera rem...

Calhan Police Chief Announces Permanent Removal of Flock Camera System

Calhan Police Chief Announces Permanent Removal of Flock Camera System

Calhan Police Chief Anthony Tribuzio announced via social media that the Flock camera system has been permanently removed from the town of Calhan and will not be reinstated. Furthermore, the police department confirmed that no other brand of automated license plate reader will replace the Flock camera. This decision by the Calhan Police Department follows a similar move by the Salida Police Department, which recently terminated its contract with Flock Safety and ceased using their automated license plate readers. The announcement signifies a definitive end to the use of this specific surveillance technology in Calhan.

The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio could restrict Flock camera data, crack down on misconduct

Ohio could restrict Flock camera data, crack down on misconduct

Sen. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, will introduce a bill to limit how Flock camera data is shared and crack down on misuse.