The Lowell City Council voted eight to one to resume police use of Flock cameras across the municipality. The formal vote occurred during an October six executive session held by the elected body. The recent vote marks a clear reversal from the prior position of the Lowell City Council, which had previously suspended the automated license plate reader cameras in a previous six to five vote.
The city of Lowell maintains thirty-seven automated license plate reader cameras across the municipality. The Flock cameras record vehicle plate, make, model, and color for tracking purposes. The system operates with a designated thirty-day retention period for all stored information. Furthermore, the underlying network connects over seven thousand agencies nationwide. Recent operational data indicates that the system logged almost five hundred searches recently, and about one hundred eighty searches flagged wanted persons for reviewing law enforcement personnel.
During the discussions surrounding the policy change, Lowell police deputy superintendent Mark LeBlanc strongly defended the cameras. Mark LeBlanc noted that the city used the investigative tool for fifteen years, telling a local news report "great investigative tool". Additionally, Lt. Joseph Murray noted that available data includes plates and makes for officers reviewing the system operations.
Support for turning the cameras back on came from multiple local officials during the council sessions. Councilor Rita Mercier defended turning cameras on during the debate. Additionally, Councilor Kim Scott praised crimes stopped across the city through the ongoing use of the technology.
Opposition to the system and its operators persisted among some residents and community members. Sean McDonough was the sole council member voting against reinstatement during the proceedings. Matthew Lucas voiced opposition to service providers. Vesna Nuon told a local news report "problem is with the company running the system". The local backlash also included procedural challenges, as DeFlock Lowell filed an open meeting law complaint.
Broader concerns regarding automated license plate readers and their administrative oversight extend to other jurisdictions within the region. Notably, Boston police dropped a vendor following a security error involving the technology. Additionally, New Bedford dropped a camera contract entirely after facing officer misuse allegations.
