Documented Incident
Mount Vernon, Ohio officials revise ALPR policy, limiting blanket federal agency access
First reported: August 12, 2026 · 1 source
After residents raised concerns at a city council meeting, Mount Vernon officials said they met to review the city's automated license plate reader policy. Safety-Service Director Tanner Salyers said the city will restrict blanket access for federal agencies and for agencies that do not contribute data to the network, and will review right-of-way compliance and additional internal audit measures. Salyers said existing guardrails are extensive but that more is needed to maintain public trust if the city continues using the cameras. The police department operates eight ALPR cameras, and private businesses operate six more in the city.
Access by outside and federal agencies is a central oversight question in ALPR programs, and Mount Vernon's response shows how public comment at a council meeting can prompt a city to revisit sharing rules and audit practices.
Key facts
- Mount Vernon Police Department operates eight ALPR cameras; private businesses operate six others in town.
- Safety-Service Director Tanner Salyers said the city will restrict blanket federal agency access and access for agencies that do not share data into the network.
- Police and administration staff met with Councilman Dale Miller, who chairs council's Police, Fire and Civil Defense Committee, to review the policy.
- Planned steps also include a review of right-of-way compliance and additional internal audit measures.
- Flock is one brand of ALPR; the article notes the cameras are often referred to generically by that name.
Sources
This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.
- Mount Vernon reviews Flock camera policy after public outcry (Knox Pages, August 12, 2026)
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About this record
BlockFlockNow documents reported incidents involving Flock Safety cameras and automated license plate readers: council votes, contract decisions, misuse by authorized users, lawsuits, audits, and community response. Every record is reviewed by a person before publication. New to the topic? Start with What is Flock?, find meetings near you, or learn how to request your town's camera records.
Updated August 13, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.