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Residents urge Binghamton City Council to end Flock Safety ALPR use, citing privacy and legal risk
Summary
More than a dozen speakers told the council at public comment that Flock Safety automated license-plate readers and similar surveillance cameras threaten privacy, may violate the New York State Constitution and expose the city to litigation; councilmembers acknowledged concerns and signaled options short of immediate renewal.
Dozens of residents urged the Binghamton City Council during public comment to stop using automated license-plate readers (ALPRs) and other mass-surveillance cameras. Rich McGrew, speaking for a local DSA chapter, read Article I, §12 of the New York State Constitution and said, "This language in our state constitution clearly prohibits all mass surveillance camera systems that do not have warrants," arguing the systems currently in place are unlawful and expose the city to civil suits.
Other commenters described legal, social and economic harms. Rachel Compton said municipal involvement risks expensive settlements and urged the council, "Please do not renew the Flock contract, and please prohibit the use of ALPR and other AI enhanced tracking in the city of Binghamton." Ian McFarland, a software engineer, said litigation and community pushback have eliminated Flock installations elsewhere and warned surveillance may deter business recruitment. Councilmembers thanked speakers and scheduled further committee discussion; no immediate ordinance or binding vote on the contract was taken at this meeting.
