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Flock Safety License Plate Readers and Surveillance Ordinance

At a glance

Based on manual captions (not auto-generated); a few names may still be misspelled.

  • What: resolution 2026-143 calling on the administration to terminate Flock Safety contracts (amended by David Jacobs to cover any other license plate reader network), remove or cover the cameras, and report back; and ordinance 2026-142 regulating intrusive surveillance technology, sponsored by Ziqiang Yuan.
  • Where it stands: the resolution passed October 19, 8 yes and 1 no (Noel T. DiBona); it is a recommendation, not binding. The ordinance was referred to the oversight and ordinance committees. Roughly 50 cameras are installed (records show 62 per one request), with additional Motorola/Vigilant readers and school bus cameras also raised.
  • Public comment: about a dozen speakers opposed Flock, citing privacy, the vendor's data ownership terms and 42 Massachusetts communities that ended or paused programs; one supported it on police chief assurances. Walter Hubley asked that future recommendations get more notice before a same-night vote.

Sources

Log

  • 2026-10-19 - City Council - Resolution passed 8 to 1; ordinance referred to committee.
  • 2026-10-06 - City Council - Oversight Committee hearing on Order 2026-104: police reported 50 cameras, 14-day retention and sharing shut off August 6; the ACLU urged a ban; no vote.
  • 2026-10-05 - City Council - Open forum speakers alleged misuse of the cameras and questioned their effectiveness.

2026-10-26 - Joint Finance and Oversight Committees

Item 2026-104 (Flock Safety use) was on the joint Finance and Oversight agenda.

2026-11-09 - City Council

Public hearing (6:00 PM) and Ordinance Committee (6:30 PM) on ordinance 2026-142; the Council agenda also carries resolution 2026-152 on statewide license plate reader legislation. Outcome not yet posted.