Two automated license plate reader cameras are operating on Route 146 in North Smithfield, installed by the Rhode Island State Police after the town administrator approved the request by email in November without notifying or consulting the Town Council. The council took no vote to accept or reject the cameras, and a resident’s public records request seeking related documents came back with no records produced. Any binding town ban would require an ordinance with a public hearing and two readings.
The North Smithfield town administrator, who also serves as the town’s public safety director, told residents Monday that he personally approved a Rhode Island State Police request to install automated license plate reader cameras in town, and that he did so through an email exchange with the police chief without any vote or notice to the Town Council.
The admission came during the council’s August 3 meeting, according to the North Smithfield Town Council’s published meeting recording. Two of the cameras are now in place in North Smithfield, both on Route 146 — one facing north and one facing south — the administrator said…