Tiverton, Rhode Island, has halted the deployment of four new Flock Safety surveillance cameras following a directive from Governor Dan McKee to pause the expansion of such technology across the state. The governor's decision comes in response to growing concerns about the balance between public safety and personal privacy in the use of automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems.
Governor McKee announced a 60-day review period to establish new statewide standards for the deployment and use of Flock cameras, emphasizing the need for "clear and consistent rules of the road" for the technology. "Public safety and personal privacy are not mutually exclusive," he stated in a press release, underscoring the state's commitment to protect both.
Despite the governor's ability to request a pause, he cannot compel cities and towns to halt the installation of the cameras outright. However, Tiverton's Town Council has chosen to heed McKee's call. At a meeting on August 24, officials decided to delay the implementation of the new cameras, which were approved by the council on July 27.
The town's contract for the four cameras has not yet been signed, leaving the two cameras already in operation by the Tiverton police department to continue their surveillance activities. The Rhode Island State Police also operates two Flock cameras in the town, which may continue to operate under the governor's proclamation.
Governor McKee's action is part of a broader initiative to address the use of Flock cameras across the state. He has called for a thorough examination of how these systems are being used and has vowed to implement "strong, uniform safeguards" to protect both public safety and personal privacy.
The governor's proposal suggests that the state may issue guidance or "best practices" for cities and towns to follow, rather than imposing mandatory legislative changes. This approach reflects the recognition that local governments have some autonomy in how they choose to use such technology.
The town's attorney, Michael Marcello, has been in discussions with Flock representatives regarding the contract and had been close to finalizing the agreement before the state's request for a pause. He noted that he had convinced Flock to include a clause allowing Tiverton to back out of the contract in case of a data breach.
Critics of the Flock camera program have raised concerns about the potential for misuse of the technology and the implications for privacy. Councilor Michael Berk expressed concern about the process by which the new cameras were approved, noting that the July 27 vote took place without the full council present and that some councilors had previously expressed concerns about the cameras.
Council President John G. Edwards defended the timing of the vote, explaining that it occurred because the town's old contract for the existing cameras had expired. Regardless of the process, the town's decision to delay the deployment of the new cameras underscores the ongoing debate about the role of surveillance technology in modern society.
As the state moves forward with its review, it remains to be seen how the use of Flock cameras will be regulated and what safeguards will be put in place to protect the privacy of Rhode Island residents. The pause in Tiverton is a clear signal that the issue is not going away, and that the state is taking the concerns seriously.
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