Rep. proposes Flock camera rules

SANDUSKY — Amid renewed discussion of Flock cameras and their uses, an Ohio lawmaker recently proposed legislation to suspend the tool. Proposed by state Rep. Gary Click, R-Vickery, the 1984 No More Act is still awaiting a number and committee assignment. If approved, it would establish a one-year moratorium on the use of Flock cameras, as the state works to address growing privacy concerns. "While recognizing the clear advantages that Flock cameras provide for law enforcement, many others and I share grave concerns about establishing an infrastructure for a surveillance system capable of stripping the right to privacy from everyday citizens," according to a news release from Click's office. "I am closely monitoring other pending legislation that will either regulate or completely ban the use of Flock cameras," the statement read. According to Click, the law would establish a one-year moratorium on the use of Flock cameras, subject to a limited number of clearly defined exceptions, including: • AMBER Alerts, which are emergency messages issued to the public to help law enforcement locate an abducted child who is believed to be in danger • SILVER Alert, which is a public emergency notification system used by law enforcement to share information and locate missing older adults or vulnerable people with cognitive disabilities • The Endangered Missing Child Alert, which is an emergency notification from law enforcement when a child is missing and at credible risk of serious harm or death, but the situation doesn't meet the strict abduction criteria for an AMBER Alert • The Endangered Missing Adult Alert, an emergency system to quickly enlist public help in finding a missing older adult or adult with a mental impairment facing credible threats of harm or death • The BLUE Alert, used to quickly share information with the public and law enforcement to help find suspects involved in violence against officers • For use by ICE agents to enforce immigration laws The bill was introduced on Sept. 11, and it is not yet known when a hearing will be scheduled. Making their way to the local area Earlier this month, Sandusky city commissioners approved a nearly $162,000 purchase from Axon to install overhead recording devices at select locations across the city for a five-year term. These are different from the Flock company's cameras and do have automatic license plate reading capabilities that Flock cameras do, but generated similar criticisms. The cameras, attached to solar panels, take still photos of passing vehicles and log their details in a searchable database to track people suspected of serious crimes, such as kidnapping. Flock cameras are already installed elsewhere in the area. Critics deem the cameras a surveillance system recording innocent motorists' movements. Proponents argue the cameras are valuable for police investigations. Widespread support for ban A bipartisan group of Ohio lawmakers is calling on the state's transportation director to remove automated license plate readers from state roads. Ohio state Reps. Tristan Rader, D-Lakewood, Levi Dean, R-Xenia, Darnell Brewer, D-Cleveland, and Justin Pizzulli, R-Scioto County, have all signed on, according to an article by the Ohio Capital Journal. Additionally, Dean intends to introduce legislation to prevent agencies from using camera data without a warrant. The lawmakers also asked officials to decline future permits and publicly disclose data related to any cameras already permitted. On Monday, Democratic Ohio governor candidate Dr. Amy Acton issued a release stating she'd support "bipartisan legislation banning the use of Flock across the state." Libertarian candidate Don Kissick also voiced support for a Flock camera ban. Republican Vivek Ramaswamy said that he's in dialogue with Ohio law enforcement regarding Flock cameras, and they're "on the same page" about prosecuting crime quickly while respecting the Constitution, the Ohio Capital Journal reported.