Woonsocket rejects Flock camera ban in 5-1 vote

16 September 2026. [AI first draft. Verify every fact against the source before publishing.]

The Woonsocket City Council voted 5-1 on Monday to reject resolution 26.R.72, which would have banned automated license plate readers and cancelled the city's contract with Flock Safety. One council member argued the technology poses a danger to liberty and represents a slippery slope, but the majority, including Councilor James C. Cournoyer, supported keeping the cameras as an important police tool.

Woonsocket approved its initial Flock contract by resolution in February 2022 and renewed it in August 2024. The city maintains an eight-page public safety policy on camera use that is posted publicly. Two residents affiliated with a privacy group spoke against the contract at Monday's meeting, citing data-sharing failures in other jurisdictions. Another speaker, describing himself as someone with law enforcement technology experience, did not call for camera removal but requested published rules, legislative oversight, and camera audits in public safety reports.

A separate resolution to regulate reader use was tabled by voice vote, with the council member indicating they will return it as an ordinance that codifies and strengthens existing police department policy. A city public safety official stated that misuse of the cameras is subject to criminal prosecution, civil liability, and administrative sanctions. The council's decision preserves the Flock contract and defers regulatory questions to a future ordinance.

Residents can track contract renewal dates, check published police policies on ALPR use in their own communities, and review council agendas to learn when related regulations or ordinances may be scheduled for discussion.

Read the original reporting: Uprise RI.