New Bedford suspends vote on Flock camera motions

21 August 2026. [AI first draft. Verify every fact against the source before publishing.]

New Bedford City Council suspended its meeting on Thursday, August 21, 2026, before councilors could vote on four separate motions concerning the Police Department's Flock license plate reader system. Council President Ryan Pereira called a recess as public members in the chamber began shouting slogans including "Flock off" and "De-Flock now." When disruptions continued, Pereira suspended the session, citing lack of decorum. Approximately 70 residents had attended after a brief protest outside the chamber.

The suspended motions included one from Councilor Brian Gomes calling for the public safety committee to meet with Police Chief Jason Thody and a Flock Safety representative to enhance policies around camera use. A second motion from Councilors Shane Burgo, Ian Abreu, and Joe Lopes requested the public safety committee review Flock and other surveillance technology deployed citywide. A third motion called for the ordinance committee to consider whether to abolish Flock cameras or establish privacy standards for license plate readers. Councilor Leo Choquette proposed immediately halting Flock use pending review. The Police Department has already suspended the system voluntarily following the discovery that Officer Emily Pacheco allegedly used Flock to track her ex-girlfriend in late July, with Chief Thody announcing investigations into multiple officers for potential misuse.

The suspension delays action on all four motions and postpones when subcommittees will hear them and invite city officials, including Chief Thody, to answer questions. Council President Pereira indicated he does not currently plan to include these motions in a special meeting before the next regularly scheduled session on September 10, citing more time-sensitive matters. Residents tracking surveillance technology in their own municipalities should monitor council meeting agendas, public safety committee schedules, and records requests for audit findings and policy reviews.

Read the original reporting: The New Bedford Light.