Flock Cameras: Testimony to Columbus City Council
On August 10, 2026, President of Esie, Steve Bennett, provided the following testimony to the City Council of Columbus, OH at City Hall:
Statement to Columbus City Council
Flock Hearing, August 10, 2026
Thank you for holding this public meeting and giving residents an opportunity to discuss this important issue.
My name is Steve Bennett. I own a small business here in Columbus where I train law enforcement officers and intelligence analysts from agencies across the country and at every level of government. Because of that work, I understand both how powerful law enforcement tools like Flock can be—and how easily powerful tools can be misused.
I understand why some people oppose Flock cameras on principle. They are concerned about creating a surveillance state or moving toward a police state. I share that concern. I do not want a police state.
But I do want effective law enforcement.
Some opponents are understandably uncomfortable with their vehicle information being collected in a private database or potentially shared with other law enforcement agencies. I respect that concern. But I also think we should recognize the broader reality of the digital world we live in. Many of us willingly use facial recognition to unlock our phones through Apple or Google, while companies like Facebook and TikTok collect extraordinarily detailed information about our interests, movements, and purchasing habits.
That does not mean we should accept unlimited government surveillance. It means the real question is not simply whether a powerful technology should exist. The question is how it is governed, who can access it, and what happens when someone abuses it.
I support the City of Columbus maintaining and using Flock cameras—but with one very important condition:
There must be meaningful oversight and accountability.
Flock is a powerful law enforcement tool. So are law enforcement databases, intelligence systems, and the weapons carried by police officers. We trust officers with those tools because we expect training, rules, supervision, and consequences when those rules are violated.
In Ohio, the misuse of certain law enforcement databases can be a felony. So I would like to hear clearly from the City:
What is the oversight plan for Flock?
Who monitors access?
How are inappropriate searches identified?
And, most importantly, what happens when someone intentionally misuses this system?
I believe the consequences for intentional abuse of a powerful law enforcement system should be severe enough to end a person's law enforcement career—and, when the conduct violates criminal law, it should be prosecuted accordingly.
If Columbus is going to use powerful technology to make our communities safer, then we need to make sure that technology is accompanied by equally powerful safeguards.
Effective policing and civil liberties should not be opposing goals. With strong oversight and real accountability, we can—and should—have both.
Thank you.
Steve Bennett, President of Esie, addresses Columbus City Council at an important hearing on the city’s use of Flock cameras.
