State lawmakers work on bipartisan FLOCK camera legislation

Flock cameras are automated license plate readers. They take pictures of the license plate of every car tat drives by them as well as some basic information about the vehicle itself.

Right now, there are about 8,000 of these cameras set up throughout Ohio communities.

Those against the cameras say they don’t like how the extra data the cameras collect could be used or accessed. Those in support of them say they’re a big hep when it comes to solving crimes.

In Columbus, Mayor Andrew Ginther announced new protocols for how law enforcement uses the cameras. It calls for bi-monthly, third-party analysis of the camera’s use and for police to only data for a week rather than 30 days.

But the mayor stops short at calling on police to stop using the technology altogether. Now, the issue is moving to the Statehouse.

It’s bringing lawmakers across lawmakers to do something about it. State Rep. Levi Dean (R-Xenia) and State Rep. Tristan Rader (D-Lakewood) are drafting legislation that would ban government agencies from using Flock cameras.

Capital This Week host Curtis Jackson sits down with both lawmakers to learn more about why a straight up ban is the avenue they chose to take as well as if they could see any of the benefits to using the cameras.