By Max Bowen-max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
At its meeting on Sept. 14, the Town Council will review the topic of Flock cameras in the community, while also taking immediate steps regarding their usage.
In a statement posted on Wednesday, Sept. 2, the town announced that it would pause the installation of any new Flock cameras in town; reduce the data retention of existing cameras from 30 days to seven days; establish a public transparency portal to provide information on how frequently the system is accessed and used; and engage an independent third party to establish and audit the program in order to provide “an additional layer of review beyond the oversight measures already in place.”
“The town of North Attleborough recognizes the importance of protecting residents’ privacy while also ensuring that the North Attleborough Police Department has appropriate tools available to protect public safety,” the statement read. “We believe both considerations deserve careful and thoughtful review.”
These devices, which capture and record license plates and other vehicle data, have come under intense scrutiny, as people argue that they are an invasion of privacy. According to the company, the cameras are not used to record facial data and do not record continuously.
While no statewide ban exists in Massachusetts, some towns, such as Attleboro, Abington and Stow, have ended their contracts with the company.
According to the statement, Town Council President Justin Pare has raised the possibility of a debate around a broader pause of the program in the future, as legislation is being considered at the state level. The council may also take additional local action, including a formal request to Town Manager Michael Borg.
“No decision has been made at this time, and the town remains open to that discussion as we continue working collaboratively with the Town Council, Police Department and community to evaluate the program and determine the appropriate path forward.”
The Sept. 14 meeting of the council will be held at Town Hall in the JoAnn Cathcart Conference Room at 7 p.m.