Oldham County officials defend use of Flock vehicle cameras after residents raise privacy concerns

Oldham County officials defended the county’s use of Flock automated license plate reader cameras during a public discussion Thursday, saying the cameras support public safety efforts. The remarks came as residents continued to voice concerns that the devices may capture more information than intended and could reduce community trust if policies on storage, access, and retention are not clearly explained.

In the meeting, county leaders said the cameras are part of efforts to help identify vehicles linked to criminal activity and other law-enforcement needs. Officials also described the technology as a tool that assists responders by enabling faster identification when investigators request information tied to specific incidents.

Residents who spoke at the session raised questions about privacy and government surveillance, according to the report. Some community members argued that camera-based systems can be experienced as intrusive, even when they are used for legitimate public-safety purposes, and asked for more transparency about how the data is handled once it is captured.

The discussion highlighted a divide within the community over how the cameras should be governed. While county officials defended continuing use, the report said residents were not all aligned on whether additional safeguards are needed, including clearer public rules on who can access information, how long it is retained, and how footage or plate reads are protected from misuse.