Council to seek updated briefing on Flock automated license-plate readers amid resident concerns

An extended council discussion focused on the town’s deployment of Flock automated license-plate readers, prompted by resident comments that evening and by recent state-level review requests.

Several residents at the public-comment period argued the installed systems track people as well as vehicles and cited national cases of misuse. Councilor Buell said she had supported earlier installations but now worries about misuse and third-party access, noting that "it terrifies me" to think residents could be tracked for lawful movements. Other councilors asked for factual updates on retention policies and auditing, noting reports that Flock default retention periods have changed in recent months.

The police chief offered to come to a future council meeting with an updated briefing and to demonstrate the department’s transparency portal so councilors can see how queries are logged, who can access data, and what Flock’s role is in data hosting/sharing. The council agreed to solicit written questions from members and to coordinate a group visit to the department for a live demonstration and to request a copy of any contract or licensing terms for review ahead of that briefing.