Privacy concerns raised as Bethlehem reviews renewal of Flock Safety contract

Civil‑liberties concerns about automated license‑plate readers surfaced in public comment at the May 11 Bethlehem council meeting.

"I and so many others are frustrated that rooms full of elected adults can look at the growing mountain of evidence that Flock is, at best, irresponsible," Alex Miller said, citing media reports alleging improper access to camera feeds and delayed removals of leased devices in other municipalities.

Miller urged the city to consider whether continued use of the vendor’s ALPR (automatic license-plate reader) services is appropriate for local policing after noting an invoice dated May 2024 and saying, "This project costs around $85,000 per year in grant funding." He also pointed council members to public resources tracking searches tied to police use of ALPR data.

Council members asked operational and legal questions. Deputy Chief Mysore, who responded at council direction, said the Flock contract is up for renewal this year — "around July, I believe" — and that the program was included in this year's budget at about $41,000. Mysore said the police department has been part of regional ALPR activities for years and that the renewal process and privacy provisions should be examined before making a renewal decision.

Vice President Laird and others requested copies of the vendor’s statement of work, hosting and privacy terms and any contract language that governs access and marketing use. No vote was taken; council members asked staff and legal counsel to circulate contract and privacy terms in advance of a renewal decision.