MOUNT STERLING, Ky. — A Kentucky man has been arrested after police say multiple Flock Safety license plate reader cameras were damaged or destroyed across more than one community, highlighting an important distinction in the ongoing debate over the controversial technology: opposing surveillance cameras is one thing; destroying property is another.
According to information released by authorities and reported Sunday by WKYT, 44-year-old Robert West was arrested in Mount Sterling following an investigation involving damaged Flock cameras in Montgomery and Clark counties.
Authorities said the investigation began after they were notified that a Flock camera had been damaged on August 15. Since then, eight cameras were reportedly destroyed or tampered with. Two of those cameras were privately owned by Lowe's, according to police.
The investigation expanded after Winchester Police and Mount Sterling Police reportedly discovered nine Flock cameras had been destroyed overnight on September 20.
Investigators used nearby security cameras as well as Flock license plate readers during the investigation, according to authorities.
West now faces eight counts of first-degree criminal mischief and six counts of obstructing governmental operations in Montgomery County in connection with the damaged cameras. Winchester Police are addressing potential charges arising from incidents in Clark County, and authorities indicated additional jurisdictions could become involved as the investigation continues.
As with any criminal case, the charges are allegations. West is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The Issue Hits Close to Home
The case may be of particular interest to readers of The Morehead Minute because Flock cameras have generated considerable discussion locally.
The Morehead Minute has previously reported on Flock license plate readers operated by the Morehead Police Department, including their locations and information obtained through Kentucky's Open Records Act concerning agencies with which camera information can be shared.
We also reported recently that seven out of Morehead’s eight flock cameras were vandalized.
Those reports have prompted legitimate questions about privacy, government surveillance, data sharing and the appropriate role of automated license plate readers in law enforcement.
People can — and do — hold sharply different opinions about those issues.
But disagreement with the use of Flock cameras does not give someone the legal right to damage them.
Whether a person strongly supports the cameras, strongly opposes them or falls somewhere in between, intentionally damaging equipment belonging to a government agency, business or other property owner can result in criminal charges.
There are lawful avenues available for people who object to the technology. Residents can contact elected officials, attend public meetings, request public records, question law-enforcement agencies about their policies, advocate for changes to local ordinances or state law, and publicly voice their opposition.
Destroying the equipment, however, can turn a policy disagreement into a criminal matter.
The Mount Sterling and Winchester investigation also illustrates something of an irony: according to authorities, Flock license plate readers themselves were among the tools investigators used while investigating the destruction of Flock cameras.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Source: Information released by Mount Sterling Police and Winchester Police, as reported by WKYT on September 21, 2026.