As reported recently, the Rhode Island State Police are requesting permission to install an Automatic License Plate Reading device (ALPR) manufactured by Flock Safety in Bristol near the Mt. Hope Bridge. Companies like Flock Safety market their camera systems as the answer to stolen cars, break-ins, and missing persons by logging the time and license plate of every vehicle that passes by. The cameras often also pick up a vehicle’s make, model, color or even bumper stickers.

While we support providing our state and town police with tools to enhance public safety, we believe that there are major risks associated with the use of Flock cameras.

Consider:

• There are no Rhode Island or federal laws on how long Flock camera data can be kept, who can have access to it and for what reasons. 
• Flock camera data is accessible by other states, towns and the federal government. Cities and towns across the country, like Redmond, Wash., Oakland, Calif., Sedona, Ariz., Santa Cruz, Calif., and even our neighboring town of Portsmouth have paused support for or rejected Flock cameras because of privacy concerns. Further, there are pending lawsuits in both Virginia and California against municipalities challenging the legality of ALPR use.
• Some municipalities’ Flock camera contracts did not fully protect data from  immigration-enforcement agencies, which raises special concern for immigrant and mixed-status families.  They may be law-abiding but fear being targeted simply by driving in their own community.   
• The evidence that these cameras deliver on crime prevention is far from conclusive — while the risks to civil liberties and community trust are very real. Where are the studies that Bristol, which is recognized for its safety and security, needs this expansive use of surveillance, and how much difference it would make? Research funded by the U.S. Department of Justice demonstrates that automated license-plate-readers are less effective in low-traffic communities, generating few investigative leads while shifting police attention away from community patrols.  

Our town is not just a set of streets to be watched, but a community of people to be trusted, respected and protected. Let’s ensure any safety technology we adopt is transparent, accountable, and aligned with our values — not a shortcut to surveillance we may regret.

Until we have a public hearing and consensus, let’s pause the cameras. Share your opinion when this comes up at the next Bristol Town Council meeting on Dec. 10.

Jane Markham, Ann Harrington
Bristol

The above are members of StandUP RI.