BARRE, Mass.- A Flock Safety automatic license plate reader in Barre has been deactivated, and plans to install a second camera have been suspended amid concerns about privacy, according to Barre Police Chief James M. Sabourin.
The existing camera is located just north of the Basil Izzy Bridge on South Barre Road, or Route 32. The planned second Flock Safety automatic license plate reader was to be installed on South Street near the High/Middle School.
Sabourin said he will meet with the town administrator and a Selectboard member within the next few weeks to discuss Flock Safety and the town’s current contract with the company.
The police department has also deactivated all officers’ Flock Safety accounts. According to Sabourin, no Barre police officer has access to Flock data effective immediately.
The town installed its first Flock Safety camera in 2021, following approval at an open Selectboard meeting on April 20, 2021. Sabourin said the camera captured still photographs of vehicles on the roadway and used a fixed, narrow frame. He said residences and side streets were not visible in the camera’s view.
According to the chief, Barre police have previously used data from the camera in drug enforcement, breaking and entering cases, crash investigations and hit-and-run investigations.
Sabourin said the department operated under Facial Recognition and Automatic License Plate Reader policies that follow Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission guidelines. He also stated that Massachusetts prohibits law enforcement from using facial recognition technology.
“Maintaining public trust is paramount to the Barre Police Department. Transparency is essential to public trust,” Sabourin said in the Sept. 2 statement.
Subscribe to The Shrewsbury Post Updates
