Council holds lengthy debate and advances first reading of private license‑plate reader ordinance

The Warren Town Council conducted an extended discussion on a proposed ordinance to regulate automatic license‑plate readers (ALPRs) — referred to in the meeting as "flock" cameras — when placed on private property and pointed at public streets.

Council discussion focused on legal uncertainty, privacy implications and the practical difficulty of enforcement. The solicitor (Desisto, speaker 2) told the council there is limited precedent and the law has not fully caught up with the technology; he suggested the town could regulate private devices that are designed to capture license plates directed at public streets while exempting ordinary doorbell cameras. Councilor (speaker 13) Trombley framed the proposed ordinance as a modest step to require applicants to come before the council with location and intent so the town can assess privacy impacts.

Opponents characterized the proposal as a knee‑jerk reaction and questioned whether the town can or should regulate private camera placement. Others argued that ALPR systems can track movement patterns and that council review is an appropriate local check. The measure advanced as a first reading after councilors voted to move forward with the ordinance language for further refinement and possible adoption at a subsequent meeting.

Council members instructed staff to continue research and to refine the draft language that would require town review and approval of license‑plate readers installed on private property if those devices are directed at public streets.