Ohio state rep. calls for 'indefinite pause' on license plate readers after Sharonville lieutenant indictment

SHARONVILLE, Ohio —An Ohio state representative is calling for an indefinite pause on the use of Automatic License Plate Readers in the state following the indictment of a Sharonville police lieutenant for the alleged misuse of the technology.

Rep. Karen Brownlee (D-Symmes Township) issued a statement Thursday after Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich announced the indictment of Lt. Walter Cordes on Wednesday.

 "Ohioans deserve to know that technology intended to promote public safety will not come at the cost of their right to personal privacy," Rep. Brownlee's statement begins. "The abuse of Flock surveillance cameras represents a serious breach of public trust and raises broader concerns about the use of AI and surveillance technology. While this case showcases the actions of a single person who broke this trust, the case represents a larger issue facing the state."

Investigators say between Dec. 19, 2024, and April 20, 2026, Cordes used the Flock camera system 29 times to track someone he knew for personal reasons. They said the misuse came to light in June through a self-report during a department audit of the system.

Prosecutors say Cordes admitted during an interview that he conducted the searches. That's when an investigation was launched by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.

"Until commonsense regulations and necessary safeguards can be implemented to protect citizens’ privacy, the use of Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR) must be placed on an indefinite pause," Brownlee's statement continues. "I implore my colleagues in the Statehouse to pass comprehensive legislation during the upcoming lame duck session to protect against further misuse or abuse of ALPR and to require that technology companies are transparent, limited in their scope on personal data collection, and incorporate automatic safety tools into their products. "

Brownlee also commended Sharonville police for "their swift and transparent response to the breach," as well as their collaboration with Hamilton County prosecutors and deputies.

Cordes has been charged with unauthorized use of a computer or telecommunication property, a fifth-degree felony.