The City of Germantown is refusing to disclose how it uses data from two automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras on Route 4. The cameras track the movements of all passing vehicles and collect data accessible to Germantown Police and other agencies without a warrant. The City has a $31,300 contract with Flock Safety, maker of the cameras.
Citing Ohio public records law, the City is not disclosing the names of the agencies they are sharing data with, nor are they providing info on how many license plates are scanned each month. Germantown Police and partner agencies, including federal agencies, can run searches on the data captured by the Flock cameras.
In the course of reporting on the two cameras and their locations (See Flock Cameras Monitoring Germantown Drivers) the TWIN CREEK TIMES submitted a public records request to Germantown to learn:
The number of license plates scanned with Flock Safety automated license plate readers over the last 30 days
The names of the hot lists/watch lists used with Flock Safety automated license plate readers
The names of all the agencies with which data is shared through the Flock Safety automated license plate reader system
The names of all the agencies from which data is received through the Flock Safety automated license plate reader system
Germantown law director Scott Davies responded to the request in an email that said, “Release of the requested information would reveal confidential law enforcement investigatory records and specific investigatory techniques and procedures protected under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(2). The disclosure of such information could compromise active investigations, law enforcement operations, and public safety.”
The City did provide a map with the two camera locations noted, see below. And an unsigned and undated copy of the contract with Flock for $31,300.
📸 City of Germantown, response to public records request
One Flock camera is located at the intersection of Route 4 and State Route 725, across from the Marathon gas station. The second camera is in view of the Germantown water tower near the intersection of Route 4 and Worthington Drive.
Both German Township Police and Jackson Township Police, who also support the Village of Farmersville, have confirmed they do not operate any Flock cameras. Jackson Township Chief Mark Bruner said they have access to camera data from other jurisdictions, if needed.
The exact installation date of the Germantown Flock cameras is unclear; both cameras were added to the Flock camera tracking site, FlockHopper, about 10-11 months ago. Germantown City Council voted to enter into the Flock Safety contract in February 2025.
Public Records in Southwest Ohio
The Dayton Daily News sent similar public records requests and received data from Dayton, Beavercreek, Five Rivers MetroParks, Lebanon, Kettering, Miami Twp., Oxford, Tipp City, Xenia, Miamisburg, Oakwood, Springboro, Hamilton and Springfield.
Several jurisdictions, including the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, joined Germantown in refusing to provide data.
After community inquiries revealed the City of Dayton was sharing data with federal immigration officials against City policy, they covered their 72 ALPR cameras in May.
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