Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther announced new guidelines and restrictions on Friday, August 28, 2026, for how the Columbus Division of Police uses Flock automatic license plate readers. While defending the surveillance tools as effective for public safety, Ginther introduced tighter protocols to address growing community privacy concerns.

Read in Somali ↓

Under the proposed rules, the city would shorten its maximum data retention period from 30 days to seven days. The plan also mandates bi-monthly third-party audits of camera usage, supervisory oversight during searches, and immediate suspension of access for any users suspected of misuse. In addition, Ginther halted the installation of 11 extra cameras that had been scheduled to go up in Columbus, Ohio, later this year. The city currently operates 65 of the readers.

The mayor emphasized that automatic license plate readers will not be permitted for personal use or for investigating cases related to immigration, abortion, protests, or religious activity. Outside law enforcement agencies will now need explicit permission from the Columbus Division of Police to access the network. CPD must also implement a “kill switch” capable of cutting off outside access immediately if unauthorized use or a security vulnerability is identified.

Ginther defended keeping the cameras, pointing to their value in solving homicides and locating missing persons.

“This should not be a choice between protecting civil liberties and protecting people from violent crime,” Ginther said in a statement. “Columbus can and should demand both. We will use technology when it makes our residents safer, put strong guardrails around its use and hold ourselves, and our technology partners, accountable to the people we serve.”

He added that he has listened to residents who want tools to keep neighborhoods safe as well as community members with valid privacy concerns, emphasizing that any technology used in the city must meet high standards.

The announcement comes as law enforcement agencies face scrutiny over surveillance technology, particularly regarding privacy and potential access by federal immigration authorities. Critics of the program include several members of the Columbus City Council, notably Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin, who is running against Ginther for mayor in the 2027 election. The city’s current contract with Flock is up for renewal at the end of 2026.

Source: WOSU — Original report

Wararka Af-Soomaaliga

Duqa Columbus oo Xadeyn ku Soo Rogay Khameradaha Akhriya Nimbarada Baabuurta

Duqa magaalada Columbus, Andrew Ginther, ayaa Jimcadii, 28-kii August 2026, ku dhawaaqay shuruuc iyo xadeyno cusub oo lagu samaynayo sida Waaxda Booliska Columbus (CPD) ay u adeugsato khamerada otomaatiga ah ee akhriya nimbarada baabuurta ee sharikadda Flock. Inkasta oo uu difaacay waxtarka teknoolojiyaddan ay ka qaadato amniga dadweynaha, wuxuu ku baaqay in la adkeeyo ilaalinta xogta shakhsiga ah ee dadweynaha.

Sida ku xusan shuruucda cusub ee la soo jeediyay, muddada boolisku xogta kaydin karo ayaa laga soo dhimay 30 maalmood iyadoo laga dhigay 7 maalmood oo kaliya. Sidoo kale, qorshahan ayaa dhigaya in labadii miecba mar lagu sameeyo kormeer madax-bannaan oo ay kabato koox saddexaad, iyada oo maamulka magaalada uu hakiyay rakibidda 11 khameraad oo kale oo loo qorsheeyay in magaalada laga samaiyo sannadkan. Magaalada Columbus ayaa hadda maamusha 65 khameraad oo noocan ah.

Duqa magaalada ayaa sheegay in khamerada aan loo adeegsan karin baaritaannada susocda socdaalka, ilmo-soo-daadinta, dibadbaxyada, hawlaha diinta, ama danta shakhsiga ah. Hay’adaha amniga ee dibadda oo doonaya inay xogtan helaan waxay u baahan doonaan ogolaansho toos ah oo ka timaada booliska Columbus. Booliska ayaa sidoo kale looga baahan yahay inay sameeyaan barnaamij arki kara ama xiriirka ka jaraya (“kill switch”) hay’adaha dibadda haddii ay dhacdo sibo-xumo ama dhibto amni.

Ginther ayaa difaacay adeegsiga khamerada, isaga oo sheegay inay booliska ka caawiyaan baaritaanka dillalka iyo helida dadka baadiyoobay. “Tani ma aha in lagu doorado idanka dhawritaanka xorriyadaha madaniga ah iyo ka dhowridda dadka dambiyada rabshadaha wata,” ayuu yiri Ginther. Wuxuu intaas ku daray in dadka deegaanka Columbus ay xaq u leeyihiin inay ogaadaan sida teknoolojiyadda loo adeegsado iyo ilaalinta lagu samaynayo si looga hortago dambiyada.

Tallaabadan ayaa ku soo beegmaysa iyadoo dhaleeceyn ay ka timid xubno ka tirsan Golaha Magaalada Columbus (Columbus City Council), oo uu ku jiro Guddoomiyaha Golaha Magaalada Shannon Hardin. Hardin ayaa u tartamaya xilka duqa magaalada ee doorashada 2027-ka oo uu kula tartami doono Ginther. Qandaraaska magaalada ku leedahay sharikadda Flock ayaa dhammaanaya dhamaadka sannadka 2026.

Xigasho: WOSU