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Middletown approves one state license-plate camera, tables town purchase pending strict policy
Summary
The council approved a state police Flock camera but postponed a $21,900 town contract for six Flock license-plate readers after residents and councilors raised privacy and data-sharing concerns; town police were directed to return with a tightly written policy before any local purchase.
Middletown’s Town Council approved installation of a Rhode Island State Police license-plate reader camera on West Main Road but tabled a separate proposal for the town to buy six additional Flock Safety cameras until the police department presents a binding use policy.
Police Chief Jay told the council the state awarded one camera as part of a 39‑camera grant; he asked permission for the town to enter a contract for six more, saying the package’s first-year cost would be about $21,900 and roughly $18,000 annually thereafter. He described the system as an investigative tool that captures rear license plates and provides real-time alerts, saying, "Flock cameras provide automated vehicle recognition, real time alerts, and advanced analytics," and stressed the department would adopt stringent controls and MOUs with partner agencies.
The chief said cameras had helped solve serious crimes elsewhere and that the technology indexes a vehicle’s rear plate, time and location but does not capture facial images. He also told councilors the vendor’s network allows collaboration across jurisdictions, which can be crucial in cross‑community investigations.
Several councilors pressed for safeguards. One asked whether federal agencies would be permitted access; the chief said sharing would require an agreement and that the town’s MOUs would prohibit routine federal access, though in a "horrific" mass‑casualty scenario the department would cooperate with federal investigators. Council Vice President and others said they wanted statutory limits rather than ad-hoc departmental policies.
Resident Lawrence Frank urged more public process and cited a recent ACLU letter warning of privacy risks and potential expansion of surveillance if legislative guardrails are absent. Frank said the town had not given residents sufficient time to review the proposal and called the presentation "one‑sided".
After debate the council voted to accept the single state police camera. Members then voted to table the town’s resolution to buy six cameras and to require the Middletown Police Department to return with a policy within roughly two weeks. The motion to table passed by voice vote.
Council President (unnamed) said the town would insist on a policy "tighter than tight" before any purchase could proceed. Chief Jay said he expected a departmental policy draft within weeks and that access to camera data would be tightly restricted to trained investigators.
