New Bedford police to temporarily suspend use of Flock technology

August 11, 2026 - 19:51

New Bedford Police Chief Jason Thody announced on Tuesday that the department will temporarily stop using its Flock Safety camera technology. The decision comes after weeks of public debate and legal questions surrounding the surveillance system, which uses automated license plate readers to track vehicles across the city.

The chief said the pause is meant to give the city time to review privacy concerns and clarify how the data is stored and shared. Flock cameras have been installed at dozens of intersections since last year, helping officers solve property crimes and locate stolen cars. But critics argue the technology collects information on all drivers, not just suspects, and that the retention of that data goes too far.

Thody emphasized that the suspension is not a permanent ban. He wants to work with city councilors and civil liberties groups to create clearer rules for how the system is used. The department will still rely on traditional patrol methods and other investigative tools during the break. No timeline was given for when the cameras might be reactivated, but the chief said he hopes to have a policy framework in place within a few months.