EAST BRIDGEWATER — The East Bridgewater Police Department will terminate its contract with Flock Safety and remove an installed automated license plate reader camera following concerns raised by residents.
According to East Bridgewater Police Chief Michael Jenkins, the department recently began the process of installing four Flock cameras in town. One camera had been installed, but the system was not yet fully operational when Chief Jenkins paused the project for further review and public discussion.
Chief Jenkins said the department found no evidence that any East Bridgewater police officer or employee had misused the system or its data.
“ALPR [automated license plate reader] technology can be a valuable public safety tool, and we believed this system could help our officers investigate crimes and locate people in danger,” Chief Jenkins said. “However, any technology we use must have the confidence of the community. Residents have raised legitimate questions about privacy, access to data, oversight and the safeguards needed to prevent misuse. After listening to those concerns and taking a closer look at the issue, I believe ending our agreement with Flock is the right decision for East Bridgewater.”
Chief Jenkins said that the department is now working with Flock Safety to terminate the contract and remove the camera that has already been installed. He added that any future consideration of ALPR technology in East Bridgewater will involve a thorough review of the system, its governing policies and safeguards, and an open discussion with the community.
“This decision is not a judgment on the potential value of ALPR technology,” Chief Jenkins said. “It is an acknowledgment that we need to weigh that value against the concerns surrounding its use. If we consider this technology again, it will be through a transparent process that gives the public a clear understanding of what is being proposed and how their information would be protected.”
Chief Jenkins thanked the residents who, he said, took the time to learn about the proposal and share their opinions with the department.
“Our officers will continue using their training, experience and available investigative resources to protect this community,” Chief Jenkins said. “Technology can assist that work, but public trust must remain at the center of every decision we make.”
