Tiverton has paused, at least temporarily, its order for four new FLOCK automatic license plate reading cameras, following a request from the governor.

The town council earlier this summer voted 3-1 to purchase the controversial cameras to augment two already existing cameras that were put up several years ago. But the pause, made by Governor Dan McKee in an executive order, allows police to continue to operate existing cameras in the interim.

“I think it would be wise to follow what the state asks us to do,” Tiverton Town Council president John Edwards, one of the council's biggest proponents of the cameras, said.

Councilor Mike Burk, who opposed the cameras and was absent from the previous 3-1 vote to approve the four new units and a contract to operate them going forward, said he hopes to see the next version of the contract when it is brought up following the pause. Craig Committo, an advocate for the cameras who also was absent from that meeting, agreed.

“I would definitely like to see the contract going forward,” he said. “I would feel better for us to look at it.”

While the purchase of four new cameras was temporarily paused, some residents still came up with concerns about the cameras and the company at Monday's meeting.

Steven LeComte mentioned that numerous other towns have rescinded contracts with FLOCK, as well as other towns that have rejected the cameras outright, including Little Compton earlier this year.

“I just want you, as a council, to review and rescind the FLOCK cameras in this town because they’re a clear Fourth Amendment violation.”

Meanwhile, Patti Buchannon said she understands both sides of the argument, and that she believes that the police department is using the cameras to great effect. However, she does not trust FLOCK.

“I don’t like mass surveillance in any form,” she said. “I personally would trust our chief of police much more than a corporation that has monetary gain from selling data. They have every reason to lie and say they’re not doing that.”

Jones later said that after the pause, a revised contract will likely be put back in front of the council.