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Glenarden council raises privacy and legal questions on Flock cameras and state’s tiered fines
Summary
Council members raised concerns about Flock automated cameras and whether state law requiring tiered fines affects the city's use of third-party vendors; police said they were unaware of alleged third-party data sharing and legal staff will be consulted on compliance.
Council members flagged two intertwined issues: privacy and interagency data access linked to Flock automated camera installations, and a change in Maryland law that changes the fine structure for automated speed enforcement.
Councilman Herring said media reports raise concerns that some third-party camera networks share footage with federal immigration authorities, and urged caution before proceeding with additional camera placements. Police Chief Roberts said he had spoken with the vendor recently and was not aware of such sharing; he committed to asking Flock directly and reporting back.
Separately, administration noted that Maryland legislation (Bill 128, 2025) implemented a tiered fine structure that replaces a flat $40 fee for automated enforcement. Administrator Woods said the city’s ordinance currently references the flat fee and that, because the municipality uses a third-party vendor for enforcement, legal clarity is needed on whether the city must adopt the tiered fees or can maintain a $40 flat fine. Woods said staff had sent questions to the city attorney and would circulate legal guidance when available.
Next steps The police chief said he will press the vendor for answers about data-sharing practices and council asked administration to provide legal guidance on whether the city must amend ordinance language to comply with state law if it continues to operate cameras through a third-party vendor.
