Driving through neighboring cities, Kent drivers may notice a Flock Safety camera scanning license plates.

The cameras can be seen in Stow, Ravenna, Brimfield, Tallmadge, Aurora and soon Kent, with an impending city council proposal.

Kent Police Chief Nick Shearer proposed the installation of Flock Safety cameras at the entry and exit points of the city.

Both Shearer and Stow Police Captain Bryan Snavely described the purpose of the cameras to identify stolen vehicles and missing persons, in addition to being for investigations after crimes.

Stow implemented the cameras in 2024, and has since found them to be useful in gathering evidence that leads to results.

The nature of the camera’s plate surveillance poses questions over who’s being monitored, but Shearer clarified the system would not reveal personal information.

Snavely reassured that the scanned footage would last for 30 days in the national Flock system.

Flock operates nationally, so both local police officials would be able to share information with neighboring departments.

While the cross-city sharing could be beneficial to the departments, Kent’s City Council has yet to give their official approval of the camera’s installation.

At the April 16 meeting, council members expressed safety concerns over privacy, information-sharing and the impact the surveillance may have on international students.

Council members like Chris Hook, Heidi Shaffer Bish and Robin Turner felt the public was not educated enough on both the camera and its use, and decided to delay their vote for six months.

While council members like Roger Sidoti believe that the cameras will be installed eventually, and mentioned how Kent drivers are surrounded by cities that use Flock cameras.

Even with the delayed council vote, Snavely believes Kent adopting the camera system would be beneficial to both cities, allowing them to help each other out.

Nikki Gasiewski is a KSTV Reporter. Contact her at [email protected].