The Newport Board of Commissioners discussed the potential use of Flock license plate reader cameras during a May 11 meeting, where police officials highlighted public safety benefits and residents raised privacy concerns.
The board heard a presentation by the police department on its technology updates on Monday; Flock cameras drew the most attention. Though the city did not sign any contracts to purchase the cameras, it did discuss the possibility of buying six in the future.
A Flock camera is not a type of camera but rather the brand of camera. It is a specialized, solar-powered automated license plate reader designed by Flock Safety to capture images of license plates and vehicle characteristics, such as make, model, color and unique features, in real time…