Milford Police Chief D. Jamey Mills told residents he hears their privacy concerns about the city's license-plate reader cameras but isn't ready to pull the plug.

Mills delivered his most detailed public defense of the Flock camera system during his report at the Aug. 18 Milford City Council meeting, weeks after protest organizer Adam Hyott and other residents rallied against the technology at Five Points Landing Park on July 17.

"The concerns raised at the park, specifically the worry that our Flock safety cameras constitute an unnecessary infringement on your right to privacy, are not being ignored; I hear you," Mills said, according to WCPO.

Hyott and resident Anne Guthrie spoke during public comment, pressing council to reject future Flock contracts. Hyott, a recent Milford High School graduate who organized the July protest, told council he was frustrated that $27,000 in tax money funded the program. Guthrie asked council directly to reject the cameras "in our community."

What the cameras do and don't do

Mills walked council through the system's capabilities, citing the department's public transparency portal. The nine cameras capture license plates and vehicle characteristics only. They do not run plates through the BMV, lack facial recognition and do not track people by gender or race. Data is retained for 30 days.

The chief said the cameras have already helped solve a recent break-in, though he did not name the case. He described the system as passing plates against national and state hot lists as "a shield."

Misuse concerns

Mills acknowledged the theoretical potential for misuse but argued the answer is accountability, not removal. He said he supports state legislation that would make misusing Flock cameras a felony, though no specific bill has been introduced.

Prohibited uses under the city's current policy include immigration enforcement, traffic enforcement and intimidation, according to the Flock transparency portal.

$27,000 contract background

Council approved the nine-camera system in a 4-1 vote on Feb. 4, 2025, under Ordinance 25-335. The $27,000 contract with Flock Group Inc. covers six Falcon fixed units and three Condor PTZ cameras at $3,000 each on a 24-month term running through 2026. Council Member Kristopher Parrish cast the lone no vote.

Regional momentum

Milford's debate mirrors a broader pushback across the Tri-State. Newport, Kentucky, ended its Flock program in July. Oxford's City Council voted 6-1 on Aug. 19 to terminate its contract. About 30 residents protested in Hamilton the same day as part of a national "DeFlock" week of action.

What's next

Mayor Ralph Vilardo told WCPO the technology has been a benefit and a positive for the community. No vote on removing the cameras was taken Aug. 18 and no agenda item on Flock has been confirmed for upcoming meetings. The next Milford City Council meetings are scheduled for Sept. 1 and Sept. 15.

The 24-month contract expires before year's end, meaning council will face a renewal decision soon.