COLUMBUS — The city of Columbus has paused permitting for Flock license plate reader cameras in the city right-of-way while it investigates allegations that an officer misused the surveillance system. The pause, announced Sept. 23 by Mayor Andrew Ginther’s administration, halts new installations by Ohio State University and other entities but leaves existing cameras in place.
The investigation follows reporting that documented dozens of active Flock cameras in the University District and Old North Columbus, including along Indianola Avenue and on Hudson, North Fourth, Summit and High streets. City officials confirmed the cameras belong to Ohio State, whose police department operates 77 Flock cameras on and off campus — more than any other public institution in Franklin County.
“The city’s right-of-way permitting for Flock camera use has been paused,” said Randy Borntrager, a spokesperson for the mayor. He said existing cameras in the University District are part of the university’s safety operations and that the city will work with the university on its usage policies going forward.
Columbus City Council President Pro Tempore Rob Dorans, who represents the University District, said he was unaware of the full extent of the camera network and called for a halt on permits in public areas. Neither Flock Safety nor Ohio State has confirmed who is responsible for each specific camera location, though the city identified them as Ohio State’s.
The camera debate comes amid growing national concern over automated license plate readers, which record vehicle locations and times and store the data in searchable databases. Civil liberties advocates have raised questions about how long the data is retained and who can access it.
No timeline has been given for when the permitting pause will be lifted. The mayor’s office said it will evaluate the findings of the internal investigation before deciding on next steps for camera installations in public rights-of-way.
