In a move that reflects growing concerns over surveillance technology, the town of Tiverton, Rhode Island, has suspended the installation of new Flock Safety surveillance cameras following a directive from Governor Dan McKee. The decision to pause the deployment of the automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras comes as the state undertakes a comprehensive review of data policies and technology usage.
Governor McKee's decision was precipitated by the increasing use of ALPR technology across the state, which has raised questions about privacy and the potential for misuse. In a statement, McKee emphasized the importance of balancing public safety with the protection of personal privacy, noting that Rhode Island requires "clear and consistent rules of the road" for such technology.
While the governor does not have the authority to compel cities and towns to halt the installation of the cameras, his call for a 60-day pause has been heeded by Tiverton officials. At a meeting of the Tiverton Town Council on August 24, local officials agreed to follow the state's lead and delay the installation of the four new cameras.
The decision to delay the new cameras follows a contentious approval process. On July 27, the councilors voted to purchase four new Flock cameras, with a contract that had not yet been signed as of August 28. Two cameras that were already in operation remain active, according to Deputy Chief Michael Miguel of the Tiverton police department.
Governor McKee's proclamation also stated that the state is "taking action now to pause further expansion, examine how these systems are being used across the state, and put strong, uniform safeguards in place to protect both public safety and personal privacy." This suggests that while the state may continue to operate Flock cameras, they are subject to new regulations designed to ensure that privacy is not compromised.
The potential impact of these cameras on privacy has been a point of contention within the town. Some residents and council members have expressed concerns about the extent to which the cameras will monitor their movements and activities. Councilor Michael Berk, who was absent from the July 27 vote, expressed concerns about the process by which the cameras were approved.
"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, especially council members who had expressed concerns about it previously," Berk said. "It was not something that we had to jump at right away."
Despite the delay, the town's attorney, Michael Marcello, expects that the state's safeguards will take the form of guidance or "best practices" for cities and towns. Marcello, who had been in negotiations with Flock regarding the town's contract, said that he was "pretty close" to finalizing the agreement before the state's request for a pause.
The issue of surveillance technology is not confined to Tiverton; it is a matter of growing concern across the United States. As technology advances and becomes more sophisticated, the debate over the balance between public safety and privacy will likely continue to be a central issue in communities nationwide.
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