VERMILION — Privacy, accuracy, and accountability concerns took center stage Monday night as Vermilion City Council heard from residents opposing a proposal to install Flock Safety license plate recognition cameras around the city.
The cameras are part of Ordinance 2025-61, which would authorize a one-year, $36,000 contract with Flock Group, Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia. The measure received its second of three required readings during the October 27 council meeting, meaning no final vote has yet been taken.
During the public participation portion of the meeting, two residents, identified in the record as Chloe and John, urged Council to reject the plan, describing the system as invasive, error-prone, and unnecessary.
Chloe told council members the cameras “track everyone, not just the people being investigated,” warning that all vehicle data would be stored in a searchable database and shared with other agencies. She said similar systems in other cities have led to misidentifications, false police stops, and lawsuits when cameras incorrectly flagged innocent drivers.
“This isn’t public safety. It’s mass surveillance,” she said. “Taxpayer dollars should fix schools, roads, and emergency services, not fund a system that records and tracks ordinary citizens.”
John, another resident, said Vermilion is already one of the safest communities in the region and questioned why the city would invest in a system that has known flaws. He said the technology “might be a good idea in theory, but not in practice,” and cited national reporting that found Flock cameras can make mistakes in poor lighting, weather, or when plates are obscured. He also noted that several cities have faced legal challenges after mistaken identifications.
“They’re not 100 percent accurate,” John said. “If even one innocent person gets pulled over because of a bad camera read, that’s one too many.”
Following the comments, Council President John Gabriel thanked residents for sharing their views. Council did not discuss the ordinance further at that time.
Councilman Drew Werley, who represents Ward 3, later said he appreciated the residents who spoke up.
“It’s getting cold outside, but hearing the citizens speak out against the Flock cameras warmed my heart,” Werley said.
How Other Cities Use Flock Cameras
Flock Safety’s automated license plate recognition systems are used in hundreds of communities across Ohio and the United States, including Elyria, Avon, Amherst, and the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office. The cameras automatically record passing vehicles and store images and license plate data for use by law enforcement.
Supporters of the system say it has helped recover stolen cars, locate missing persons, and solve crimes such as hit-and-runs and burglaries. Police agencies using Flock cameras can also share information across jurisdictions, giving officers access to real-time alerts when a suspect vehicle is detected.
However, privacy advocates note that Flock cameras have been at the center of legal disputes in several states. In some cases, lawsuits alleged unlawful traffic stops or detentions based on incorrect license plate matches. Critics, including the ACLU, warn that the technology’s expanding use raises concerns about mass data collection, potential misuse of shared information, and the absence of independent oversight.
If approved in Vermilion, the proposed system would begin as a 12-month pilot program, with locations for camera placement determined jointly by police and city officials.
What’s Next
Under Vermilion’s legislative rules, ordinances must receive three readings at separate meetings before council can vote. The third reading and possible vote on Ordinance 2025-61 are expected to take place in November.
Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for November 10, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Vermilion Municipal Court Complex.
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