BRUNSWICK, OH by Lucas Merkel
If you’ve followed the discussions around Brunswick’s Flock automated license plate readers, you’ll remember the public was assured that the system was being actively monitored and audited monthly to protect against misuse and unauthorized searches.
Now look at the Brunswick Division of Police Staff Report from August 24, 2026:
Under Traffic Corner, the report plainly states:
👉 "Conducted first Flock Audits for Jan-July"
And under calls for service? Exactly 7 logged audits—all conducted retroactively in August last month.
This may explain why earlier public records requests for monthly audit logs came back empty: the audits simply weren't happening.
Brunswick, Ohio started using FLOCK Safety cameras in 2022 after holding a 60-day trial in late 2021. If the very first audit didn’t take place until August 2026, it begs the obvious question:
What kind of oversight existed prior to January 2026? How much potential misuse, unauthorized searches, or policy violations were simply never checked or swept under the rug?
When a city deploys mass surveillance technology, accountability isn’t optional—it is the baseline requirement.
Brunswick Residents: Reach out to your ward council representative and council members at-large. Ask them directly for transparency and an honest accounting of how our data has been handled. Please.
A protest and petition signing is scheduled for Saturday September 19th from 1pm to 3pm and a Facebook group has been created to keep local residents informed and involved.