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Cincinnati police defend surveillance tools as council weighs privacy rules

Cincinnati police defended the use of surveillance technology as city leaders pressed for more information about privacy, data retention and how information can be shared. Interim Police Chief Adam Hennie appeared before Cincinnati City Council’s Public Safety Committee on Oct. 6 to discuss the department’s use of cameras, license plate readers, drones and other technology.…

ByNina OliverioOctober 7, 20260Comments

Cincinnati ALPR System Monitors Vehicles on City Roads

News Safety

Eight Companies Bid on Cincinnati’s License Plate Readers

Cincinnati set aside $360,000 to replace and expand its police license plate readers. Eight companies bid for the work, and public records don't show who they are or which three ranked highest. A Jan. 22 memo from City Manager Sheryl Long describes the Cincinnati ALPR procurement in two sentences. "Evaluation committee scores submitted and corresponding…

ByAdam KoehlerSeptember 26, 20260Comments

A black Flock Safety surveillance camera and solar panel mounted on a pole against a background of green leaves.

News

Ohio attorney general backs Flock cameras, calls for penalties for misuse

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson just released a statement on the usage of Flock cameras. He said Flock license plate reader technology remains a valuable law enforcement tool when used properly, while calling for criminal penalties for officers who misuse the system. Flock cameras have become the subject of increased scrutiny in Ohio as communities…

ByNina OliverioSeptember 16, 20260Comments

Outdoor security camera overlooking blurred city lights at night.

News

Cincinnati Council seeks answers on surveillance while nuisance proposal faces pushback

Cincinnati surveillance oversight targets city technology This is after the Cincinnati City Council approved a motion requiring the administration to explain how the city uses surveillance technology. Councilmembers Anna Albi, Seth Walsh and Jeff Cramerding sponsored the motion. The request covers cameras, drones and automated license plate readers used by the city. The administration must…

ByNina OliverioSeptember 11, 20260Comments

A solar-powered surveillance camera mounted on a black pole against a clear blue sky.

News

Cincinnati Council seeks answers on police cameras, drones, license plate readers

Several council members from the Cincinnati City Council had some questions. Council members Anna Albi, Seth Walsh, and Jeff Cramerding have asked the city administration to provide a detailed overview of its surveillance technology within 30 days. The request covers cameras, police drones, and automated license plate readers. Council members also want information about current…

ByNina OliverioSeptember 9, 20260Comments

Covington Axon Contract: $6M Police Tech Deal Explained

Community News

Covington Axon Contract: Inside the $6 Million AI, Drone and Police-Tech Deal

Covington commissioners face a vote on Tuesday on a $6 million Axon Enterprise contract. The ten-year deal already stalled once after residents and commissioners raised pointed questions. The Covington Axon contract bundles body cameras, Tasers, and mobile license plate readers. It also adds a dock-based Drone as First Responder system and AI report-writing software. All…

ByAdam KoehlerSeptember 6, 20260Comments

A black Flock safety camera and solar panel mounted on a utility pole against a blue sky.

News

Independence deactivates Flock cameras after resident backlash

Flock cameras are now deactivated in Independence, Kentucky, after weeks of resident opposition. This means that flock cameras stopped collecting data about a week after Mayor Chris Reinersman announced their removal. The city confirmed the deactivation Monday, Aug. 31, WLWT reported. The move came one week after Reinersman announced that Independence would immediately begin removing…

ByNina OliverioSeptember 1, 20260Comments

Flock license plate reading camera mounted on a pole with a solar panel.

News

Flock cameras face growing scrutiny across Greater Cincinnati

Flock cameras face growing scrutiny across Greater Cincinnati as communities reconsider automated license plate readers. The debate about it intensified after an Ohio city ended its program and a Kentucky officer faced charges over alleged database misuse. The controversy has expanded beyond questions about crime prevention and public safety. Officials and residents are now debating…

ByNina OliverioAugust 27, 20260Comments

A black Flock Safety license plate reader camera mounted on an outdoor pole.

News

Hamilton Flock cameras policy released after privacy concerns spark debate

The City of Hamilton has published new guidelines governing its automated license plate reader system following public criticism from a local advocacy group. The release came after reporting by Local 12 highlighted concerns from DeFlock Hamilton, which argues the camera network creates privacy risks for residents. The newly released procedures outline how the Hamilton Police…

ByNina OliverioAugust 3, 20260Comments

Automated license plate reader camera mounted above a suburban roadway in Northern Kentucky as vehicles travel through the corridor at sunset.

Community News

Ohio License Plate Readers Face the Same Fight as Kentucky’s. Advocate Says It’s About Oversight.

For the second time in as many meetings, Kenton County leaders declined to vote this week on automated license plate cameras The same technology now fueling Ohio license plate reader debates just across the river. Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann made the announcement before public comment even began Tuesday. The fiscal court would not act…

ByAdam KoehlerJuly 15, 20260Comments

Cincinnati’s Newsroom for the People.

Cincinnati police defend surveillance tools as council weighs privacy rules

Eight Companies Bid on Cincinnati’s License Plate Readers

Ohio attorney general backs Flock cameras, calls for penalties for misuse

Cincinnati Council seeks answers on surveillance while nuisance proposal faces pushback

Cincinnati Council seeks answers on police cameras, drones, license plate readers

Covington Axon Contract: Inside the $6 Million AI, Drone and Police-Tech Deal

Independence deactivates Flock cameras after resident backlash

Flock cameras face growing scrutiny across Greater Cincinnati

Hamilton Flock cameras policy released after privacy concerns spark debate

Ohio License Plate Readers Face the Same Fight as Kentucky’s. Advocate Says It’s About Oversight.

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The Harsh New Reality of Cincinnati Creative Jobs

Comic-Con Bars AI-Generated Art After Artist Backlash

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