Following a pilot period on the Kent Campus, Kent State University has suspended the Flock Safety license plate recognition camera system, pending further review of potential concerns this fall.
This spring, the university implemented the cameras on an exploratory basis to begin to evaluate whether the technology would strengthen campus safety. The administration heard from members of the Kent Campus community that, for some, the cameras made them feel less secure rather than more secure. That feedback was meaningful and informed the university's decision to suspend the program for now.
Kent State remains committed to a robust approach to campus safety that reflects both the needs of our community and its values. Many institutions, including Ohio State University, the University of Akron and the University of Cincinnati, continue to use similar systems. Kent State will continue to evaluate and invest in tools and strategies that best serve our campus.
For more information about campus safety resources, visit www.kent.edu/campus-safety.