Concerns that Ohio House Bill 23 could impact law enforcement’s use of Flock cameras can be dismissed.
At the March 6 trustees meeting, Mike Hampton, Springfield Township administrator, expressed concern over the legislation, which is part of the transportation portion of the state’s biennial budget.
In a March 12 telephone interview, State Representative Haraz Ghanbari said that portion of the bill addresses the use of red light and speed cameras, not Flock cameras.
The bill “clarifies that continuing law applicable to the use of a traffic law photo monitoring device does not apply to a county or township use of a traffic law photomonitoring device or an associated license plate reader for the purpose of detecting and assisting in the enforcement of criminal offenses.”
Mr. Hampton said the township has installed Flock cameras in 25 locations throughout the township.
The purpose of the cameras is to decrease crime and catch those who have or are committing an offense.
According to its website, Flock Safety is a “public safety operating system that helps cities, businesses, schools and law enforcement in thousands of communities work together to stop crime, protect privacy and mitigate bias.”
The company builds hardware and writes software that capture the evidence police need to solve crimes.
Communities throughout the country use the cameras to aid law enforcement in solving up to five percent of all reported crime in America.
The majority of the township cameras are located north of Airport Highway at specific points, based on drug and other criminal activity.
One of the cameras is mobile and will be placed throughout the township as needed ~Jane Maiolo
