Meet the central Ohio residents who want to 'DeFlock' their neighborhoods
Grassroots groups across central Ohio are organizing against Flock Safety automated license plate cameras, citing surveillance, artificial intelligence and data-center concerns. In Grove City, opposition to a proposed large data center has led to a ballot initiative, while Reynoldsburg canceled its Flock contract, Worthington Schools ended its contract and Columbus paused camera use.
Residents in Upper Arlington, Worthington, Reynoldsburg and other central Ohio communities have formed grassroots groups seeking to remove or restrict Flock Safety license-plate cameras. Organizers say concerns include pervasive surveillance, artificial intelligence, data sharing and the potential use of camera data in immigration enforcement. Upper Arlington activists are considering a ballot initiative that would remove Flock cameras and create a citizen-led commission overseeing future police surveillance technology.
The opposition has produced several government actions. Reynoldsburg canceled its Flock contract, Worthington Schools did the same, Columbus paused use of its cameras, and Hilliard City Council voted to pause its program. In Grove City, organizers opposing a large data center are pursuing a community-consent ballot initiative and have connected the data center debate to Flock’s artificial-intelligence and data-storage infrastructure. Activists have urged residents not to vandalize cameras while continuing to campaign for broader restrictions on surveillance technology.