Flock cameras create debate

NORWALK — Norwalk's use of automated license plate reader cameras is drawing debate over whether the technology is a valuable investigative tool or an expansive surveillance system that records the movements of innocent motorists. Resident John Fell spoke during public comment and urged city council during its Tuesday work session not to renew the city's contract with Flock Safety when it expires next year. Fell said figures available through Flock's transparency portal showed the cameras recorded 128,775 vehicles in Norwalk during the previous month, while officers conducted 121 searches. "That means for every legitimate search, 1,064 innocent residents were tracked, logged and their data shared with agencies across dozens of states, including federal agencies," Fell told council. "That's not targeted policing. That's treating every driver in Norwalk like a suspect." Fell characterized the system as a digital dragnet and argued that recording large numbers of vehicles without individualized suspicion raises concerns over the Fourth Amendment, which protects people from unreasonable search and seizure carried out by government agencies. He said many residents have seen the cameras but do not know what they are, where the information is stored or who can access it. Fell also cited communities across the country that have reconsidered or ended their Flock agreements. He told council that dozens of contracts have been canceled in multiple states and referenced decisions including those made by law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles, North Carolina and Cleveland. He also pointed to proposed federal legislation that could limit government access to automated license plate reader systems or restrict federal funding for communities that deploy them. Potential for abuse claimed Fell raised concerns about potential misuse by individual officers and unauthorized searches by outside agencies. He cited reports from other communities, including an audit he said uncovered thousands of unauthorized searches involving cameras in Dayton. He also described reported cases elsewhere in which law enforcement officers allegedly searched license plates for personal reasons, including tracking former or current romantic partners. Fell noted that Flock cameras have recently been vandalized or removed in other Ohio communities. He said he was not endorsing the damage but believed it demonstrated growing public anger toward the technology. "I'm not endorsing this in any way, but when people feel the government won't listen anymore, they find other ways to be heard," Fell said. Fell said he originally planned to request an independent audit of Norwalk's system but decided to ask the city not to renew its contract. "The abuse is documented, the legal ground is shifting, and your neighbors are literally tearing these cameras down with their bare hands," he said. "Norwalk can be a beacon, a city that looked at the evidence, listened to its residents and chose liberty over surveillance." Chief details investigative benefits Also speaking at the meeting, Norwalk police Chief Scott Dahlgren defended the cameras, claiming they have regularly assisted his department with investigations and contributed to closing about 30 cases. Dahlgren said the cameras helped identify a suspicious vehicle near a Norwalk bank, providing information that assisted neighboring law enforcement agencies investigating bank robberies involving gang members. In another case, investigators recovered more than $3,000 in appliances stolen from a local business through fraudulent credit card transactions. Dahlgren said the camera system captured a license plate that helped police identify Cleveland-area suspects, recover the merchandise and pursue charges. The cameras also assisted investigators with a sex offense involving multiple juvenile victims, according to Dahlgren. The suspect lived outside the area, and Norwalk police worked with another law enforcement agency to obtain charges. Dahlgren said Flock images helped identify a vehicle connected to the theft and resale of high-dollar battery-operated tools from a local business. The technology also helped police solve an armed robbery on the city's south side after the suspect's vehicle passed a camera. The identification allowed officers to arrest the suspect that evening. The system has also been used in hit-and-run investigations, narcotics cases, warrant investigations and the recovery of a vehicle reported stolen in late 2025. A more recent case involved repeated shoplifting incidents at local businesses involving juveniles and alcohol. Dahlgren said the cameras helped identify the vehicle, while additional investigation determined who was driving it. The cameras are stationary and placed at fixed locations. Dahlgren said they capture license plates and vehicle characteristics, including make, model and color. They do not identify occupants, record audio or continuously follow vehicles throughout the city. The system is not used to issue speeding, red-light or other traffic citations. Dahlgren said information collected by Norwalk's cameras is automatically deleted after 30 days. Real-time alerts are generated only when a plate has been entered for a law enforcement purpose, such as a stolen vehicle, missing person investigation, AMBER Alert, Silver Alert or active criminal investigation. Officers must document a legitimate law enforcement reason each time they search the system, he said. A detective sergeant is responsible for conducting regular audits and reporting the findings to the chief. Dahlgren said the department has not discovered any improper or unauthorized searches. "No one can be in our data without our permission first," Dahlgren said. According to Dahlgren, information is shared with other law enforcement agencies only for legitimate investigative purposes. The information is stored through AWS GovCloud, and access is restricted to authorized law enforcement personnel. Dahlgren also rejected the argument that the cameras violate established Constitutional protections. He said license plates and vehicle descriptions are visible on public roadways and that the U.S. Supreme Court has not ruled that Flock cameras violate the Fourth Amendment. Norwalk's current contract runs through March 2027. Dahlgren said he believes the city should renew it. "I do believe the city should renew the contract to continue utilizing available lawful technology to assist victims and investigations in our community," he said. Dahlgren said the department recognizes that residents have questions and that the technology must be accompanied by oversight and accountability. "Our goal is straightforward: to protect the residents, visitors and businesses of Norwalk while providing the highest level of service to victims of crime," he said.