Residents press for town hall and data details after Fort Thomas installs Flock cameras

Multiple residents asked why the city added Flock license-plate-reading cameras, how many are installed (staff said three installed with four more budgeted, eight requested total), and what exactly the cameras capture and store. "There's a possibility that data can be taken or accessed without specific permission," resident Ali Alandro said, urging the council to hold a widely advertised town hall.

Police staff described the law-enforcement uses: detectives and patrol frequently use camera imagery as leads for hit-and-runs, thefts and other investigations; staff argued the cameras can speed an investigation in the "golden period" for certain violent crimes. But speakers pressed for independent effectiveness data, disclosure of data-retention and cloud-storage policies, and guarantees about third-party access. Several residents referenced studies and incidents in other jurisdictions where plate-reader data had been used in ways residents found harmful, and urged the city to publish a policy and host a town hall before adding more cameras.

Council agreed to organize a town hall and asked police and administration to prepare statistics and a clear explanation of operational rules, retention limits and vendor contract terms for public presentation. The town hall will be publicly advertised so residents can weigh in before future budgeted installations proceed.