Columbus police Flock audit prompts safeguards and Aug. 10 Council hearing
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther has ordered the Columbus Division of Police to stop statewide sharing of Flock Safety surveillance camera data after the department released an audit raising immigration-related concerns. City Council is setting up a public hearing so residents can question the audit results and what safeguards should replace the statewide sharing feature.
For residents, the near-term question is what safeguards will replace statewide sharing—and whether the city’s documented retention rules for Flock license plate reader data should change.
Quick primer: what Flock cameras do, and what “sharing” means here
Flock Safety is an automatic license plate reader (ALPR) system. In the Columbus reporting tied to this audit, the controversy is over how police access to the cameras was shared with other agencies through a statewide sharing feature.
The audit’s key figure: searches tied to possible immigration reasons
WOSU reports the audit summary said CPD’s network was searched for possible immigration-related reasons up to 15,577 times. WOSU notes this figure comes from the audit release/summary police published.
Ginther’s order: stop statewide sharing, investigate possible misuse
According to WOSU, Ginther directed CPD to stop statewide sharing for Flock Safety surveillance cameras. In the statement WOSU includes, Ginther said the city’s data will not be used for the possible purpose of immigration enforcement.
WOSU also reports Ginther ordered an investigation to look for any misuse of Flock cameras within the police division—framed as checking potential misuse, not as a conclusion that misconduct occurred.
Columbus City Council public hearing: Aug. 10 at 4 p.m. at City Hall
WOSU reports City Council will hold a public hearing on the Flock audit results on Aug. 10, 2026 at 4 p.m. at City Hall. The hearing will be hosted by Councilmember Emmanuel Remy and public speakers have three minutes.
To provide testimony, WOSU reports residents can submit by emailing the council office by deadline:
- Flock cameras hearing: email pdmejia@columbus.gov by noon on Aug. 10.
WOSU also reports the city invited representatives from Flock to testify.
What Columbus’s retention paperwork says: 30 days for “Flock License Plate Reader Data”
A City of Columbus Legistar record tied to the city’s Records Commission minutes lists retention schedule language for Flock data. It shows “Flock License Plate Reader Data” is scheduled for a 30-day retention period under Schedule Number 24-3c.
The same minutes include discussion of why the 30-day retention period applies to that record category.
Another City Council hearing that month: July 22 (data centers and lead service lines)
WOSU reports City Council will also hold a hearing on July 22 at 5:30 p.m. on proposed policies dealing with data centers and lead service lines. However, WOSU also describes the July 22 hearing hosted by Councilmember Christopher Wyche as set for 4 p.m. at City Hall, with Wyche chairing the council’s public utilities and sustainability committee.
If you’re planning to attend, double-check the final city notice or agenda for the correct start time.
What to watch next
The Aug. 10 hearing is the first major public forum tied directly to the audit release. Residents may want to focus questions on what safeguards should replace statewide sharing, how access/searches are documented going forward, and whether the city’s 30-day retention period for “Flock License Plate Reader Data” should be revisited.
Sources
- WOSU Public Media (July 11, 2026): Ginther orders stop to statewide sharing of Flock cameras after audit release
- City of Columbus Legistar (PN0067-2026): Records Commission meeting minutes text (retention schedule language)
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