Kent State University Police is installing Flock cameras across campus, a move it said is aimed at improving safety and assisting in criminal investigations.

According to Sgt. Vance Voyles, the cameras are designed to capture license plate information to help officers identify vehicles connected to crimes.

“The data that we’re going to use with those is completely for campus safety and security criminal investigations,” Voyles said.

Police said the technology allows them to gather clearer images than existing cameras, particularly when it comes to identifying license plates, something that has been difficult in past cases.

Still, as news of the cameras spread, some students expressed concerns about privacy and how the data could be used.

Voyles addressed those concerns, emphasizing that the department does not share data with federal immigration authorities.

“We do not contract with the Department of Homeland Security agencies, so we don’t share the data we have with that,” he said.

He also noted that officers must follow strict guidelines when accessing information, adding that misuse could result in disciplinary action, including termination.

Undergraduate Student Government President Ivory Kendrick said the concerns aren’t just about the cameras themselves, but how students learned about them.

“I wish they would have let the student body know a little bit more in advance before they did it,” Kendrick said.

He added that clearer communication could have helped prevent confusion and fear among students.

“The lack of information leads to the increase of assumption,” Kendrick said. “I think we just have too much of a lack of information right now.”

Despite the concerns, Kent State Police said the goal of the cameras is to enhance safety on campus and assist in solving crimes more efficiently.

“We’re literally doing it so that we can actually make you safer, not feel safe, but actually make you safe,” Voyles said.

University officials said more information about the cameras and how they work is available on Kent State’s website.

Lex Radde is a KSTV reporter. Contact her at [email protected].