The License-Plate Reader File · KentuckyIn reporting · updated Nov. 2, 2026
Who is reading your plate?
County by county.
A Kentucky law in effect since July 15, 2026 (House Bill 58) caps how long license-plate reader data may be kept at 90 days in most cases, limits who may use and share it, and requires each police agency to publish a policy. In late summer 2026 several Northern Kentucky cities ended or paused their Flock cameras.
A county’s color reflects any documented agency in it: the sheriff’s office or a city police department. “Not yet checked” is not the same as “none”.
- Using license-plate readers
- In use; some cameras may have been switched off or removed.
- Removing or limiting cameras
- Removing cameras beyond state roads, or limiting use, while some remain.
- Use suspended
- Cameras switched off or use paused; no contract termination reported.
- Program documented, current use unconfirmed
- Records or reports show the agency bought or used plate readers, but no source found confirms whether they are still in use.
- Ended or removed
- Contract terminated, program discontinued, or all cameras removed.
Statewide
- April 5, 2022 Flock Safety told Spectrum News it had 34 Kentucky customers, 14 of them law enforcement agencies, but declined to name them. At that time Kentucky had no law limiting how long plate-reader data could be kept. (Spectrum News 1, April 5, 2022)
- Feb. 28, 2024 Senate Bill 380 (Sen. Adrienne Southworth) was filed. It would have defined who may use plate readers, set privacy safeguards, and let Kentucky State Police run an annual review of ALPR users. It was sent to the Senate Transportation Committee on March 1, 2024, and went no further. (Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, March 1, 2024)
- Jan. 7, 2026 Rep. John Hodgson (R-Fisherville) filed House Bill 58 to regulate automated license plate readers. Spectrum News reported that a similar Hodgson bill had passed the House 90-1 in the 2025 session, but the Senate did not take it up. (Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, April 10, 2026; Spectrum News 1, Jan. 12, 2026)
- Jan. 14, 2026 Rep. T.J. Roberts (R-Burlington) filed House Bill 375. It would ban the use of plate readers, make a violation a Class D felony with a $10,000 fine, and allow civil suits. The bill was sent to the House Transportation Committee on Jan. 22, 2026, and saw no further action. (Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, Jan. 22, 2026)
- Feb. 11, 2026 The House Judiciary Committee approved a revised HB 58 without opposition. As approved by the committee, the bill capped retention at 90 days unless the data is needed as evidence, limited sharing to other law enforcement agencies and the National Insurance Crime Bureau, and required officers to visually confirm a plate match before a stop. (Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, April 10, 2026; Louisville Public Media / Kentucky Public Radio (via WKMS), Feb. 11, 2026)
- Feb. 18, 2026 The House passed HB 58 on an 89-9 vote. (Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, April 10, 2026)
- March 24, 2026 The Senate passed an amended HB 58 on a 34-3 vote. (Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, April 10, 2026)
- March 31, 2026 The House voted 70-19 to accept the Senate changes to HB 58 and sent the bill to the governor. (Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, April 10, 2026)
- April 10, 2026 Gov. Andy Beshear signed HB 58 (Acts Chapter 71). It adds a new section to KRS Chapter 189 that limits ALPR use and the use and sale of ALPR data, sets a 90-day retention cap with exceptions for investigations and evidence-preservation notices, and requires law enforcement agencies to adopt and publish an ALPR policy. It also sets up a Transportation Cabinet permit process for readers on highway rights-of-way, lets the Cabinet, its contractors, insurers and lenders collect ALPR data for specified purposes, and adds a penalty in KRS 189.990. (Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, April 10, 2026)
- July 15, 2026 HB 58 took effect statewide, according to LEX 18. Hodgson told the station the bill took four years to pass. (LEX 18, July 16, 2026)
- July 2026 U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said in a social media post that he planned a federal bill to cut funding to cities and police departments that use Flock cameras. No bill number or text was reported. (WBKO (story originated at WAVE), July 29, 2026)
- Sept. 3, 2026 The legislature's Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary heard testimony on plate readers from Flock Safety, the Kentucky Retail Federation, Elizabethtown Police Chief Jeremy Thompson, the ACLU and ACLU of Kentucky, and the Cato Institute. Written statements came from Axon, Motorola Solutions, the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. The ACLU of Kentucky asked governments to pause Flock contracts and order independent audits. (Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, Sept. 3, 2026; WUKY, Sept. 3, 2026; WKYT, Sept. 3, 2026; Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police (via Kentucky LRC), Sept. 3, 2026)
Every county
| Adair | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Allen | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Anderson | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Ballard | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Barren | Program documented, current use unconfirmed | 1 | Flock Safety | 6 |
| Bath | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Bell | Checked: no program found | — | — | — |
| Boone | Using license-plate readers | 2 | Flock Safety, Motorola Solutions | 30 |
| Bourbon | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Boyd | Using license-plate readers | 1 | Flock Safety | 10 |
| Boyle | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Bracken | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Breathitt | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Breckinridge | Checked: no program found | — | — | — |
| Bullitt | Checked: no program found | — | — | — |
| Butler | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Caldwell | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Calloway | Program documented, current use unconfirmed | 1 | Flock Safety | 4 |
| Campbell | Using license-plate readers | 10 | Flock Safety | 19 |
| Carlisle | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Carroll | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Carter | Checked: no program found | — | — | — |
| Casey | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Christian | Using license-plate readers | 1 | Flock Safety | — |
| Clark | Using license-plate readers | 1 | Flock Safety | 4 |
| Clay | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Clinton | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Crittenden | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Cumberland | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Daviess | Using license-plate readers | 2 | Flock Safety | 15 |
| Edmonson | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Elliott | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Estill | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Fayette | Using license-plate readers | 2 | Flock Safety | 140 |
| Fleming | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Floyd | Checked: no program found | — | — | — |
| Franklin | Removing or limiting cameras | 1 | Flock Safety | 19 |
| Fulton | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Gallatin | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Garrard | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Grant | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Graves | Using license-plate readers | 1 | Flock Safety | 2 |
| Grayson | Program documented, current use unconfirmed | 1 | Flock Safety | 9 |
| Green | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Greenup | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Hancock | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Hardin | Using license-plate readers | 3 | Flock Safety | 49 |
| Harlan | Checked: no program found | — | — | — |
| Harrison | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Hart | Using license-plate readers | 1 | Flock Safety | — |
| Henderson | Using license-plate readers | 2 | Flock Safety | 15 |
| Henry | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Hickman | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Hopkins | Program documented, current use unconfirmed | 1 | — | — |
| Jackson | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Jefferson | Using license-plate readers | 3 | Flock Safety | 254 |
| Jessamine | Program documented, current use unconfirmed | 1 | Flock Safety | 3 |
| Johnson | Checked: no program found | — | — | — |
| Kenton | Using license-plate readers | 12 | Flock Safety | 53 |
| Knott | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Knox | Checked: no program found | — | — | — |
| Larue | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Laurel | Checked: no program found | — | — | — |
| Lawrence | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Lee | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Leslie | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Letcher | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Lewis | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Lincoln | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Livingston | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Logan | Checked: no program found | — | — | — |
| Lyon | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Madison | Program documented, current use unconfirmed | 2 | Flock Safety | 13 |
| Magoffin | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Marion | Checked: no program found | — | — | — |
| Marshall | Checked: no program found | — | — | — |
| Martin | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Mason | Checked: no program found | — | — | — |
| McCracken | Using license-plate readers | 1 | Flock Safety | 32 |
| McCreary | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| McLean | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Meade | Using license-plate readers | 1 | Flock Safety | — |
| Menifee | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Mercer | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Metcalfe | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Monroe | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Montgomery | Using license-plate readers | 1 | Flock Safety | 6 |
| Morgan | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Muhlenberg | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Nelson | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Nicholas | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Ohio | Ended or removed | 1 | Flock Safety | — |
| Oldham | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Owen | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Owsley | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Pendleton | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Perry | Checked: no program found | — | — | — |
| Pike | Checked: no program found | — | — | — |
| Powell | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Pulaski | Checked: no program found | — | — | — |
| Robertson | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Rockcastle | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Rowan | Using license-plate readers | 1 | Flock Safety | 8 |
| Russell | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Scott | Using license-plate readers | 2 | Flock Safety | 6 |
| Shelby | Checked: no program found | — | — | — |
| Simpson | Checked: no program found | — | — | — |
| Spencer | Program documented, current use unconfirmed | 1 | Flock Safety | 2 |
| Taylor | Checked: no program found | — | — | — |
| Todd | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Trigg | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Trimble | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Union | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Warren | Using license-plate readers | 2 | Flock Safety | 10 |
| Washington | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Wayne | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Webster | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Whitley | Checked: no program found | — | — | — |
| Wolfe | Not yet checked | — | — | — |
| Woodford | Program documented, current use unconfirmed | 1 | Flock Safety | — |
How this map is built
We start with each county’s sheriff’s office and its largest city police departments, then work outward. Each agency’s entry says whether it comes from agency records or from news reports, and links every source. Companies are tracked separately, so the map can show one company’s customers or all license-plate readers together.
Have a contract, invoice or records response for an agency here? Send it to tips@signaldata.org.
Sources
- Spectrum News 1, Sam Knef, “Henderson residents split on Flock cameras as commission takes no vote,” Oct. 14, 2026
- Spectrum News 1, Mason Brighton, “Frankfort votes to end Flock camera contract in January,” Oct. 13, 2026
- Spectrum News 1, Sam Knef, “Henderson Flock cameras,” Oct. 7, 2026
- WKYT (via WYMT), WKYT News Staff, “Morehead left without working Flock cameras after vandalism,” Oct. 2, 2026
- WKYT (via FOX19), WKYT News Staff, “Man arrested after Flock cameras damaged in several Ky. cities, police say,” Sept. 21, 2026
- Spectrum News 1, David Williams, “LMPD announces changes to Flock camera use,” Sept. 18, 2026
- KET, June Leffler, “Kentucky sheriff's new rule for using Flock camera footage (Kentucky Edition),” Sept. 10, 2026
- LINK nky, Robin Gee, “Bellevue suspends use of Flock cameras,” Sept. 10, 2026
- LINK nky, Staff report, “Florence to temporarily suspend Flock license plate reader system,” Sept. 10, 2026
- WCPO 9, WCPO Staff, “Florence suspends Flock camera system to review technology, privacy concerns,” Sept. 10, 2026
- LEX 18, Alex Barber, “7 of 8 Morehead Flock cameras destroyed as city weighs next steps,” Sept. 10, 2026
- WUKY, Josh James, “Lexington mayor forms independent panel to review controversial cameras,” Sept. 5, 2026
- WEKU, Jackie Starkey, “As outcry grows, Lexington mayor announces independent review of city's Flock cameras,” Sept. 4, 2026
- Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, “Minutes, Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary, 4th meeting of the 2026 Interim (Sept. 3, 2026),” Sept. 3, 2026
- Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police (via Kentucky LRC), “Automatic License Plate Readers (KY FOP Statement), committee meeting document,” Sept. 3, 2026
- WKYT, Madison Porter, “As Flock cameras spread across Kentucky, lawmakers weigh privacy concerns against public safety benefits,” Sept. 3, 2026
- WUKY, Josh James, “Flock cameras see bipartisan backlash in Kentucky, but lawmakers differ on proper response,” Sept. 3, 2026
- WKRC Local 12, James Pilcher, “Largest Tri-State Flock camera user hits pause button as more agencies pull back,” Sept. 3, 2026
- LINK nky, Staff report, “Fort Thomas ends Flock camera use 'effective immediately',” Aug. 28, 2026
- Spectrum News 1, Mason Brighton, “Public debate intensifies over Flock cameras in Lexington,” Aug. 28, 2026
- WCPO 9, WCPO Staff, “Fort Thomas mayor announces city will discontinue use of Flock cameras,” Aug. 28, 2026
- WVXU, Dany Villarreal Martinez, “Fort Thomas joins other NKY cities in dropping Flock Safety cameras,” Aug. 28, 2026
- FOX19 (WXIX), Brooklyn Andres, “Erlanger ditches Flock cameras, prioritizes good police work over technology,” Aug. 27, 2026
- WCPO 9, Logan MacDonald, “'Different from Flock': Covington officials postpone vote on automatic license plate readers,” Aug. 26, 2026
- Spectrum News 1, Sam Knef, “Hartford Flock cameras,” Aug. 26, 2026
- 14 News (WFIE), Leslie Chapman, “Henderson police chief presents Flock camera program update to city commission,” Aug. 25, 2026
- Spectrum News 1, Mason Brighton, “Independence to remove Flock cameras from city,” Aug. 24, 2026
- WSMV, Caleb Wethington, “Police say Flock camera helps lead to arrest of teen murder suspect in Kentucky,” Aug. 24, 2026
- Northern Kentucky Tribune, Patricia A. Scheyer, “Fort Mitchell hears citizens on ebikes, Flock cameras; Mayor decides to discontinue the controversial cameras,” Aug. 20, 2026
- Spectrum News 1, Mason Brighton, “Flock camera concerns prompt pushback in Kentucky communities,” Aug. 20, 2026
- WBKO, Adam Ferguson, “Hartford police says no to Flock cameras following community concerns,” Aug. 20, 2026
- FOX19 (WXIX), Jennifer Edwards Baker, “2 Tri-State cities stop using Flock cameras,” Aug. 19, 2026
- The News-Enterprise, Greg Thompson, “Flock cameras, budget amendment on Radcliff City Council agenda,” Aug. 18, 2026
- WKRC Local 12, WKRC, “NKY city to hold special meeting on Flock cameras as debates continue across the region,” Aug. 17, 2026
- The Daily Independent (Ashland), Aaron Snyder, “APD presents how it uses Flock,” Aug. 16, 2026
- WBKO, WBKO News Staff, “Hart County Sheriff's Department addresses misconceptions about Flock cameras,” Aug. 14, 2026
- The Paducah Sun, Will Spencer, “Flock cameras improve law enforcement response, Mayfield police says,” Aug. 13, 2026
- LINK nky, Nathan Granger, “103 Flock devices are watching Northern Kentucky roads. Are they in your neighborhood?,” Aug. 4, 2026
- WBKO (story originated at WAVE), Julia Richardson, “Kentucky congressman wants to introduce bill to take funding away from agencies using Flock cameras; local officers, politicians react,” July 29, 2026
- WBKO, Ananda Wallace, “Bowling Green police address national Flock camera hacking concerns,” July 23, 2026
- WSAZ, Charlie Roth, “WSAZ Investigates | Ashland residents react to living near Flock cameras,” July 22, 2026
- LEX 18, Ana Medina, “Lexington's Flock cameras face new state regulations, but critics say they don't go far enough,” July 16, 2026
- LINK nky, Nathan Granger, “Kenton County Fiscal Court holds off on license plate reader vote… again,” July 14, 2026
- LINK nky (via WCPO 9 partnership), Haley Parnell, “Newport to remove Flock cameras, end pilot program,” July 14, 2026
- Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, James Mayse, “Law enforcement has access to 15 Flock cameras across city,” July 13, 2026
- Georgetown News-Graphic, Jack Thomas, “Flock cameras help GPD investigate,” July 3, 2026
- Louisville Public Media, Morgan Watkins, “In Louisville, Flock camera locations will stay secret,” April 28, 2026
- Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, “House Bill 58 (26RS) bill record: AN ACT relating to privacy protection,” April 10, 2026
- Spectrum News 1, Mason Brighton, “LMPD has access to 600+ Flock cameras in Jefferson County,” Feb. 19, 2026
- Louisville Public Media / Kentucky Public Radio (via WKMS), Sylvia Goodman, “Kentucky GOP bill would limit license plate reader data sharing, storage,” Feb. 11, 2026
- Spectrum News 1, Mason Brighton, “Hardin County town goes all in on Flock cameras,” Feb. 6, 2026
- Office of the Kentucky Attorney General, “2026 Open Records and Open Meetings Decisions (index; 26-ORD-034, Morgan Watkins/Louisville Metro Government, 2/2/2026),” Feb. 2, 2026
- Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, “House Bill 375 (26RS) bill record: AN ACT relating to automated license plate readers,” Jan. 22, 2026
- Spectrum News 1, Aaron Dickens, “Bowling Green police Flock cameras,” Jan. 22, 2026
- WKU Public Radio, Derek Parham, “'We don't have anything to hide': Bowling Green Police explain use of Flock cameras,” Jan. 22, 2026
- Louisville Public Media (KyCIR), Morgan Watkins, “U of L, UK use Flock license plate readers to monitor drivers. Here's where their cameras are,” Jan. 13, 2026
- Louisville Public Media / KyCIR, Morgan Watkins, “U of L, UK use Flock license plate readers to monitor drivers. Here's where their cameras are,” Jan. 13, 2026
- Spectrum News 1, Mason Brighton, “Lawmaker files bill to regulate automated license plate reader cameras,” Jan. 12, 2026
- Bowling Green Daily News, Jack Dobbs, “Concerns voiced over license plate readers,” Dec. 20, 2025
- Louisville Public Media (KyCIR), Roberto Roldan, Morgan Watkins, “Nearly 200 license plate readers keep watch on Louisville drivers. LMPD won't say where they are,” Dec. 17, 2025
- WNKY, Gus Warren, “Bowling Green Drug Task Force director explains purpose of flock cameras in the community,” Dec. 16, 2025
- City of Georgetown, “Special Called Police Committee Meeting minutes, Sept. 8, 2025,” Sept. 8, 2025
- WKYT, Samantha Valentino, “WKYT Investigates: How often are Lexington's FLOCK cameras being used?,” July 25, 2025
- City of Paducah, “City Commission Meeting Highlights - July 8, 2025,” July 8, 2025
- WBKO, Matthieu Welch, “Grayson County officials consider expanding Flock safety camera system,” May 19, 2025
- City of Paducah, Police Chief Brian Laird, “Ponderings from Paducah: Modern Day Policing Using Technology,” March 27, 2025
- WKYT, Alyssa Williams, “Central Ky. police credit Flock cameras in helping to locate Michigan teen,” Oct. 29, 2024
- Northern Kentucky Tribune, “meetNKy, Erlanger partner to test Flock Safety Cameras to enhance safety around select hotels,” Sept. 19, 2024
- Louisville Metro Government, “Metro Council approves funding for Flock cameras in Council Districts 12 and 14,” Sept. 5, 2024
- WBKO, Derek Parham, “Warren Fiscal Court approves funding for license plate reading cameras,” July 17, 2024
- Northern Kentucky Tribune, Patricia Scheyer, “NKY communities looking to solar-powered Flock Safety Cameras for better security,” July 15, 2024
- LEX 18, Christiana Ford, “Should LPD's agreement with Flock for license plate readers be renewed? Council set to decide,” April 18, 2024
- WEKU, Stu Johnson, “Lexington's city council takes first step in extending license reading camera program,” April 10, 2024
- The Winchester Sun, Matt Cizek, “Police chief explains presence of Flock cameras,” March 19, 2024
- Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, “Senate Bill 380 (24RS) bill record: AN ACT relating to automated license plate readers,” March 1, 2024
- Spectrum News 1, Aaron Dickens, “Elizabethtown to receive additional Flock cameras,” Jan. 23, 2024
- Flock Safety, “Elizabethtown PD sees great success and multiple solved stories with Flock LPR (vendor marketing),” Nov. 28, 2023
- The News-Enterprise, Gina Clear, “Camera system sees success; Etown police chief asks for more,” Nov. 17, 2023
- WBKO, Brennan Crain, “WBKO Investigates: What's behind Glasgow's new license plate cameras?,” Oct. 25, 2023
- WCLU Radio, “Glasgow Police Dept Partners with Flock Safety,” Oct. 25, 2023
- WKYT, Julia Sandor, “Flock cameras coming to another central Kentucky city,” Sept. 13, 2023
- Spectrum News 1, Amber Smith, “Louisville Flock cameras,” Feb. 20, 2023
- WKYT, Jeremy Tombs, “Nicholasville police adding more Flock cameras,” Feb. 10, 2023
- WTVQ ABC 36, Hannah Woosley-Collins, “Versailles installs Flock cameras, police credit them for crimes solved,” Feb. 7, 2023
- WKYT, Chad Hedrick, “Other central Kentucky cities adopting Flock camera program,” Feb. 6, 2023
- WKYT, Grason Passmore, “Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council votes to expand flock camera program,” Dec. 6, 2022
- Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, “Mayor, Police Chief ask Council to expand Flock license plate reader program (press release),” Nov. 2022
- Spectrum News 1, Adam K. Raymond, “License plate readers are 'growing quickly' across Kentucky,” April 5, 2022
- Spectrum News 1, Adam K. Raymond, “License plate readers are popping up across Kentucky,” April 5, 2022
- WHOP, Faith Speaks, “Items receive second-reading approval, Council hears update on HPD security cameras,” April 5, 2022
- K105, Ken Howlett, “Already installed in Leitchfield, Chaffins promotes installing Flock cameras throughout Grayson Co.,” date not shown
- K105, Ken Howlett, “Flock camera system installed in Leitchfield,” date not shown
- The Spencer Magnet, “Spencer County purchases 2 Flock cameras to increase safety,” date not shown
- Murray Ledger & Times, “Reward offered after vandals target CCSO's Flock cameras,” date not shown
- The Paducah Sun, “Flock cameras spark privacy debate in Paducah; police chief says safeguards protect data from misuse,” date not shown