Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther announced new protocols for how Columbus police use the city's 65 Flock automatic license plate readers.
In a statement Friday, the mayor said he recognizes concerns about privacy and misuse of the technology. However, he did not call for an end to police use and defended it.
Law enforcement around the county, including Columbus, have faced calls to end their contract with Flock due to privacy concerns and federal immigration agents using the cameras.
Ginther wants a bi-monthly, third-party analysis of the cameras' use, for police to only retain data for seven days instead of 30 and to end access to outside agencies without permission by CPD. The mayor also won't let the police division install 11 more cameras planned for the city this year.
Ginther said police won't use the cameras to investigate immigration, abortion, protests, religious activity or for personal purposes. Many of these guidelines was already prohibited by CPD or the agency.
“This should not be a choice between protecting civil liberties and protecting people from violent crime,” Ginther said in a statement. “Columbus can and should demand both. We will use technology when it makes our residents safer, put strong guardrails around its use and hold ourselves, and our technology partners, accountable to the people we serve.”
The mayor's office defends the cameras as extremely valuable to police for solving homicides and finding missing people. But Ginther said he recognizes legitimate privacy concerns and the potential for misuse.
“I’ve listened carefully to all sides of this debate - including neighbors asking us to use every tool possible to maintain safety in their neighborhoods, and community members with valid concerns about privacy. Columbus residents deserve to know how this technology is being used, who has access to their information and what safeguards are in place to prevent misuse,” Ginther said. “Our expectation is simple: If technology is going to be used in Columbus, it must meet our standards for safety, privacy and accountability.”
The mayor said he is also requiring CPD to have supervisory oversight when the license plate reader searches are conducted and will suspend user access immediately if potential misuse is identified. He wants Columbus police to create a "kill switch" that allows Columbus to suspend outside access upon any discovery of misuse or a security threat.
Among the critics are a growing list of Columbus City Council members, including City Council President Shannon Hardin. Hardin is running against Ginther to become mayor in the 2027 election.
The Flock camera contract is up for renewal at the end of this year.
