Abortion advocates oppose Flock cameras

Press Release | August 10, 2026

COLUMBUS — During a special hearing on Flock cameras, Abortion Forward offered testimony about the dangers of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) for reproductive healthcare privacy, and to urge council to end all contracts with Flock safety and take down all cameras.

Abortion Forward Deputy Director Jaime Miracle: “Columbus has taken a lead in protecting abortion access by funding assistance programs and putting privacy protections in place for patients and providers. In 2022, Columbus City Council passed a resolution stating that that City funds will not be used to conduct surveillance on an individual or an organization for the purpose of determining whether an abortion has occurred. The contract with Flock and the use of automated license plate readers violate these commitments made by city leaders.”

The Flock Transparency Portal shows that the Columbus Police Department shared data with multiple states where prosecutors initiated criminal cases against individuals related to their pregnancy, pregnancy loss, or birth. Regulation cannot fix this problem. End the contract with Flock Safety and permanently remove all ALPRs. Ensure the privacy of patients and providers of abortion.”

Resolution 0143X-2022, passed on 7/25/2022, stated that “It is the policy of the City … that city funds will not be used to … provide information to any other governmental body or agency about any abortion … or other reproductive healthcare act” or to “conduct surveillance or collect information related to an individual or an organization for the purpose of determining whether an abortion has occurred.”