South Kingstown Council Requests State Police Remove Camera Installed Without Notice
By ยท Updated 16 Aug 2026
14 August 2026.
South Kingstown's town council voted August 11 to request removal of a license-plate reader camera installed by Rhode Island State Police in July, after council members learned of its existence through news reporting rather than official notification. The state police camera, located at Route 2 and Route 138, became operational July 4 as part of a statewide $600,000 contract.
The discovery came roughly two weeks after the council voted July 27 to terminate the town's own Flock Safety contract, which had placed seven cameras throughout town at a cost of $30,000 for a one-year trial approved in June 2025. Those seven cameras are scheduled for removal August 17-18.
Town records show state police requested municipal approval for the state camera in a November 5, 2025 letter to the police chief. The chief responded the same day with a formal approval letter on department letterhead, citing the requirement for municipal authorization. However, the council was not consulted on this approval. Council Vice President Michael K. Marran characterized the oversight as a grave error in judgment, noting that the council was never informed despite the state's requirement for municipal letter of approval. Council members emphasized that transparency comes through public council discussion, not from learning about such installations through newspapers.
The police chief was out of state during the August 11 meeting and did not address the matter. Council President Rory H. McEntee indicated he had sent the chief written questions and expects responses when the chief returns. The council voted by voice vote to direct the town manager to inform state police that the town did not consent to the camera's presence.
Readers in their own towns can verify whether similar state or federal camera contracts were installed without full municipal governing body review.
Read the original reporting: Uprise RI.
Related record: South Kingstown, Rhode Island in the jurisdictions directory.