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Residents urge Franklin Council to cancel or limit Flock contract, citing privacy and misuse cases
Summary
Dozens of residents told the council they want the Flock ALPR deployment paused or rescinded, citing national reporting on false positives, contract changes and risks to vulnerable populations.
A large group of Franklin residents used Tuesday's public comment period to press the township to end or strictly limit its contract with Flock, the company that supplies the automated license-plate readers deployed around town.
"The end cannot justify the means in all cases, especially when civil liberties are potentially at stake," said Christopher Rios, among several speakers who referenced national reporting, academic studies and newspaper coverage alleging false positives and contract provisions that could expand vendor control. Residents cited articles from the ACLU and investigations showing contract-language changes in other jurisdictions and urged the council to disclose the township's vendor contract and any recent amendments.
Speakers reported specific worries: possible abuse by officers, aggregation of historical movement records, and the prospect that the vendor could control data access or license data after contract changes. "We can police without stalking," Leslie Bridal told the council, arguing the community needs more time and public input before renewal or expansion.
Several commenters requested formal, independent oversight: an external audit, a public accounting of alerts vs. confirmed hits, and either a citizen review board for ALPR audits or a binding public referendum on long-term deployment.
