Flock cameras carry risks
The Rhode Island State Police recently requested approval from the Bristol Town Council to install an automated license-plate reader camera (ALPR), manufactured by Flock Safety, near Bristol’s Mount Hope Bridge. These cameras scan and store the plate number, vehicle characteristics, and location of every passing vehicle. Law enforcement efforts to keep our community safe are important, but installing ALPR technology that captures data on everyone demands full transparency.
Flock cameras have been installed across Rhode Island with very different levels of public transparency. Cranston, Pawtucket, and Woonsocket ALPRs were put up before most residents even knew the program existed. Warwick and East Providence heard from residents at public meetings before approving cameras. Newport held a vote in open session. That’s the right way to do it.
Currently no state or federal laws govern Flock surveillance data storage, access, or use. Flock allows information to be shared with agencies across the country – including federal agencies. Communities from Oakland to our neighbors in Portsmouth paused or opposed Flock deployments due to serious privacy concerns…