New Bedford City Council takes steps to ban Flock cameras after privacy uproar
By Tim Nazzaro, Jennifer Peñate
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NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WCVB) — Days after a heated debate over the use of Flock Safety cameras caused the New Bedford City Council to end its weekly meeting early, the council was back in the chambers on Tuesday night to pick up where they left off.
New Bedford City Council President Ryan Pereira issued a warning at the beginning of the meeting to all attendees.
Last week, the council meeting ended in chaos as boos and shouts from attendees drowned out a councilman making a case to keep Flock cameras in the city.
On Tuesday night, tabled discussions on the license plate reader technology went on uninterrupted.
The councilors voted unanimously in favor of drafting an ordinance to get rid of the controversial cameras.
“We expect a veto from the Mitchell administration,” one councilor said.
New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell’s Office released a statement Tuesday night, saying in part:
“The police department is evaluating potential regulations on the use of license plate reader technology to better ensure appropriate use by law enforcement while respecting privacy interests.”
City councilor Brian Gomes said he would like to keep the Flock cameras with new safety parameters.
“I believe that for the time being, suspend them until we get all the information,” he said.
New Bedford police Chief Jason Thody recently suspended the automatic license plate readers across the city after a review found an officer allegedly used the technology to track her ex-girlfriend.
Residents protesting the cameras said privacy is a major concern.
According to Pereira, there will be a hearing in the ordinance committee for councilors to begin drafting legislation to remove Flock and any other license-reading technology.
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