In a bid to protect public safety while preserving personal privacy, the town of Tiverton, Rhode Island, has temporarily suspended the installation of new Flock cameras following a directive from Governor Dan McKee. McKee ordered a 60-day review to establish clear standards for the use of automated license plate reader technology across the state.
Governor McKee emphasized the need for balance between public safety and personal privacy in a press release. "Public safety and personal privacy are not mutually exclusive," he stated. "Rhode Island needs clear and consistent rules of the road for this technology."
The governor's decision comes amidst growing concerns about the potential for misuse and privacy breaches associated with the Flock camera system. Although the state has no authority to compel cities and towns to halt the installation of these cameras, the Tiverton Town Council heeded the governor's request during an Aug. 24 meeting.
"I think it would be wise just to follow what the state has asked us to do," Council President John G. Edwards told The Herald News.
The contract for four new Flock cameras, approved by councilors on July 27, has yet to be signed. Two cameras are already operational in Tiverton, and their fate remains unclear following the governor's directive. The Rhode Island State Police also operates two Flock cameras in the town, but their future use may also be impacted by the review process.
Governor McKee's action was prompted by the state's review of the Flock camera system, which included an analysis of 75 million searches and sparked a debate over the appropriate use of such surveillance technology. The review concluded that the state needed to put strong, uniform safeguards in place to protect both public safety and personal privacy.
"Only the state Legislature can make municipalities change the way they use Flock cameras," explained Tiverton Town Solicitor Michael Marcello. "So, McKee's safeguards are likely to take the form of guidance or 'best practices.'"
Marcello said he had been in discussions with Flock representatives in an effort to finalize a contract for Tiverton before the state's request for a pause. He also expressed his hope that the state's guidance would help to clarify acceptable practices for the town.
The issue of Flock camera installation has been a contentious one in Tiverton. Councilor Michael Berk raised concerns about the process leading up to the July 27 vote, noting that it took place without the full council present and while councilors who had previously expressed concerns were absent.
"The 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," Berk said. "It was not something that we had to jump at right away."
Despite these concerns, Council President Edwards defended the timing of the vote, noting that the town's old contract for its two existing Flock cameras had expired and the new contract was needed to maintain public safety.
"The July 27 vote happened while councilors were absent because the town's old contract for its two existing Flock cameras had expired," Edwards said.
As the state's review of Flock cameras continues, towns like Tiverton are faced with difficult decisions about how best to balance the need for surveillance technology with the right to privacy. With Governor McKee's directive and the state's upcoming guidelines, towns across Rhode Island will be expected to take a closer look at the role of Flock cameras in their communities.
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