A Shively, Kentucky police officer is facing ten misdemeanor charges after allegedly using the Flock license plate camera system to track the mother of his child more than 2,000 times. Asad Zahir, 40, is accused of running 2,048 searches on two vehicles registered to the woman between January and May. Investigators say the tracking covered both Kentucky and Indiana, and the woman obtained a temporary protective order after reported harassment and threats. Zahir was released on personal recognizance and is scheduled for arraignment on August 28.
The Flock system is widely used across the country, including here on the Suncoast. These cameras read license plates and help law enforcement locate stolen vehicles, find missing persons, and solve crimes. But this case raises serious questions about oversight. How does an officer run thousands of searches over several months without detection? What safeguards exist in your community to prevent this kind of abuse?
For local residents in Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties, it’s worth asking your own agencies about their policies. Who has access to camera data? Are searches logged and audited? What happens when an officer is found to be abusing the system? This story is a reminder that public safety technology is only as good as the people and policies behind it. Do you feel safe knowing these cameras are on your streets, and do you trust the oversight in place? Share your thoughts below.
