Tiverton, Rhode Island, has put the brakes on the installation of new Flock surveillance cameras following a directive from Governor Dan McKee. The governor's decision came in response to growing concerns over the use of automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology and the need for clearer standards to balance public safety with personal privacy.
On August 18, McKee called for a 60-day review of the state's data policies surrounding ALPRs, specifically the Flock cameras. "Public safety and personal privacy are not mutually exclusive," he stated in a press release. "Rhode Island needs clear and consistent rules of the road for this technology."
While the governor cannot compel cities and towns to halt the installation of the cameras, his call for a pause has been heeded by Tiverton's local officials. At a Town Council meeting on August 24, Council President John G. Edwards advocated for the town to follow the state's lead. "I think it would be wise just to follow what the state has asked us to do," he said.
The contract for four new Flock cameras, approved by the councilors on July 27, has yet to be signed. The two cameras already in operation by the Tiverton police department remain active, according to Deputy Chief Michael Miguel. The Rhode Island State Police also operates two Flock cameras in the town, which may continue to operate under McKee's proclamation.
Governor McKee's action is part of a broader effort to examine how ALPR systems are being used across the state and to implement strong safeguards to protect both public safety and personal privacy. "The state is taking action now to pause further expansion, examine how these systems are being used across the state, and put strong, uniform safeguards in place," he wrote.
The Rhode Island State Police, which has two Flock cameras in Tiverton, may continue to operate them under the current review. However, the future of these cameras is uncertain as the state considers new guidelines.
Governor McKee's decision to pause the expansion of Flock cameras in Tiverton has sparked a debate about the role of surveillance technology in modern society. Critics argue that the cameras infringe on privacy rights, while supporters contend that they are essential for public safety.
Town Solicitor Michael Marcello expects that the state's safeguards will take the form of guidance or "best practices" rather than legislation. "Only the state Legislature can make municipalities change the way they use Flock cameras," he noted. "So Tiverton Town Solicitor Michael Marcello — the town's attorney — expects McKee's safeguards to take the form of guidance or 'best practices.'"
The town's decision to delay the new cameras comes amidst a broader investigation into the use of Flock cameras. The investigation, which analyzed 75 million searches, has already led to police firings and arrests in other jurisdictions.
The debate over Flock cameras in Tiverton has also raised questions about the transparency of the town's decision-making process. Councilor Michael Berk expressed concern that the July 27 vote to approve the new cameras took place without the full council present. "I am concerned that this item had been put back on an agenda when most of the council was not here and it was known that they could not be here," he said.
Despite the concerns, Council President John G. Edwards defended the decision, noting that the town's old contract for its two existing Flock cameras had expired. "But that hasn't kept them from operating: the two original cameras are on the same pending contract as the four new ones," he explained.
As the state reviews its data policies and considers new guidelines for Flock cameras, the future of surveillance technology in Tiverton remains uncertain. The debate over privacy and public safety will likely continue as the town and the state grapple with the complexities of balancing the two.
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