STOUGHTON — The Stoughton Police Department has canceled its contract with Flock Safety for the department’s automated license plate reader (ALPR) program.
The cancellation became effective Sept. 4, 2026, and was publicly announced by the Stoughton Select Board on Sept. 8, 2026.
According to the Stoughton Police Department, the decision followed a review of the Flock Safety program, including concerns raised by community members, the system’s operational value, existing policy safeguards and the department’s commitment to public trust and transparency when deploying technology.
Stoughton police said the Flock Safety system had provided the department with a valuable investigative tool, however, after weighing its benefits against community concerns and broader considerations surrounding the program, the department determined that canceling the contract was the appropriate decision.
The department also considered the potential ramifications of cancelling the contract, including the fact that the program’s first year was funded by a federal grant.
The Stoughton Police Department said that effective immediately, the following actions have been taken:
- All Stoughton police personnel access to the Flock Safety software has been revoked
- All data-sharing arrangements with outside agencies through the Flock Safety platform have been terminated
- Written notice of cancellation has been provided to Flock Safety in accordance with the term of the contract
- Flock Safety has been notified that all equipment installed under the contract must be removed by Oct. 1, 2026
- The department has requested that the Stoughton Department of Public Works cover all Flock ALPR cameras until Flock Safety removes the equipment
Stoughton Acting Police Chief James O’Connor said public trust and transparency must remain central to the department’s use of technology.
“While the Flock Safety system has provided the Department with a valuable investigative tool, public trust and transparency must remain paramount in how we deploy technology in service of this community,” Acting Chief O’Connor said. “After carefully considering the concerns raised by our residents, as well as the operational and policy considerations surrounding the program, we determined that cancellation was the appropriate course of action at this time.”
The Stoughton Police Department said it remains committed to using effective tools and technologies to protect the community while ensuring those technologies are consistent with department policies, community expectations, and the public’s trust.
The department added that it will continue monitoring emerging technologies and law enforcement best practices and will keep the Select Board and community informed if alternative approaches are considered in the future.
