DeWine defended Flock cameras as a routine investigative tool and called for action against abuses.
Mike DeWineMike DeWine, sitting state governor
DeWine defended Flock cameras as a routine investigative tool and called for action against abuses.
“There can be abuses. When there are abuses, we have to take action.”
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Should Flock-style license-plate surveillance networks exist?
Networked automated license-plate readers record passing vehicles and let agencies search or share travel records across locations. Candidates and officials disagree over whether to prohibit these networks, keep them with legal limits, or defend their use for investigations. This tracker records attributable positions on that choice, including proposals that would affect only public funding or data access.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
The Columbus Dispatch attributed these remarks to DeWine speaking to reporters on August 10, 2026. AOL reproduced the report.
Before the quotation
The Columbus Dispatch attributed these remarks to DeWine speaking to reporters on August 10, 2026. AOL reproduced the report.
After the quotation
The report discussed officers accused of searching for current or former partners and a senator's proposed restrictions. DeWine did not endorse those specific legislative provisions in the quoted passage.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
DeWine expressly defends the tool's usefulness and calls for action against misuse. His general accountability demand does not suspend his present support.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Flock Safety
More from this case
Read the full caseGluba says Flock and other license plate cameras violate the Fourth Amendment and should be removed
“They are a complete violation of community privacy and safety, they are in direct violation of the fourth amendment to the US constitution and should by law be removed immediately. They have been abused throughout the country by various LEOs and citizens alike as they have little to no security in their software. Every other day we see a new article about someone using a LPR camera system to spy on and track an ex girlfriend or boyfriend, or we see that someone has again used them to track children. They must be removed!”Read statement
Ellis would prohibit Flock-style cameras in Maryland and bar public agencies from contracting for them
“I oppose the the use of flock style cameras and would prohibit their use in Maryland. I would also prohibit any state or public agency from contracting with these surveilance tools.”Read statement
Rick Beard says Flock cameras should be voter approved or taken down
“I would rather have the state spend money on fixing the damn potholes instead of spending money to watch us drive over them. Flock cameras need to be voter approved or taken down.”Read statement
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- The Dispute Index
- Title
- DeWine defended Flock cameras as a routine investigative tool and called for action against abuses.
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/events/3573-dewine-defended-flock-cameras-as-a-routine-investigative
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "DeWine defended Flock cameras as a routine investigative tool and called for action against abuses.". First published: 2026-09-30. Last updated: 2026-09-30. https://disputeindex.com/events/3573-dewine-defended-flock-cameras-as-a-routine-investigative