Massachusetts communities are increasingly ending their contracts with Flock Safety for automatic license plate readers (ALPRs). As of September 2026, over 25 municipalities have decided to stop using these cameras or have chosen not to renew their agreements. This trend follows concerns raised by residents and organizations, including the ACLU of Massachusetts, which reported on these developments.
Flock Safety's ALPRs capture images of license plates, which police can use to track vehicle movements. This data can be shared with other agencies, sometimes nationwide, without a warrant or suspicion of wrongdoing. Opponents of the technology argue this widespread data collection poses significant privacy risks.
What are the reasons towns are ending these contracts?
Towns have cited various reasons for terminating or not renewing their agreements with Flock Safety. These often include concerns about privacy, cost, and data management practices. For instance, Dartmouth's police chief decided not to renew the town's contract in August 2026 due to privacy and cost concerns. In the same month, the Ayer Select Board unanimously voted to cancel its contract immediately.
Other communities raised issues with how Flock Safety operates. In Bellingham, the police department decided not to renew its contract after September 2026, citing cost and transparency, specifically noting that Flock turned on AI-surveillance features the department was unaware of. Littleton officials ordered cameras to be taken down after Flock reactivated them without the town's knowledge following a vote to temporarily disable their use. These incidents highlight the importance of understanding the full capabilities and data sharing policies of ALPR systems. Drivers can learn more about how ALPRs work and their implications at our /learn page.
- Dartmouth (August 2026): Not renewing due to privacy and cost.
- Ayer (August 2026): Unanimously voted to immediately cancel contract.
- Abington (August 2026): Police chief announced an end to the agreement.
- Groton (August 2026): Terminating contract.
- Southbridge (August 2026): Suspending use, noting cameras were not used for investigations.
- Easton (August 2026): Terminated contract due to public sentiment.
- Bellingham (August 2026): Not renewing due to cost, transparency, and unapproved AI features.
- Auburn (August 2026): Severed relationship due to a "contractual defect."
- Douglas (August 2026): Deactivating cameras and accounts immediately.
- East Bridgewater (August 2026): No plans to roll out, terminating contract for one installed camera.
- Grafton (August 2026): Deactivating cameras weeks after signing a contract.
- Hopkinton (August 2026): Select Board voted to cancel after public pushback and contract violating state procurement law.
- Stow (August 2026): Disabled cameras, terminated contract, officer placed on leave for personal queries.
- Wellesley (August 2026): Terminated pilot program early.
- Littleton (August 2026): Officials ordered cameras down after Flock reactivated them without town's knowledge.
- New Bedford (August 2026): Suspended use after public opposition and allegations of misuse by an officer.
- Salem (July 2026): Discontinuing deployment, seeking alternative ALPRs with stronger data protections.
- Framingham (June 2026): Police department chose not to renew contract after resident opposition.
- Sharon (June 2026): Select Board voted not to renew contract expiring September 2026.
- Attleboro (March 2026): Ended deployment citing cost concerns.
- Greenfield (January 2026): Ended deployment citing cost concerns.
- Natick (January 2026): Select Board unanimously voted to end pilot program.
- Watertown (January 2026): Canceled contract citing concerns about a private company handling data and technology's role in policing.
- Cambridge (December 2025): Ended contract after Flock installed new cameras following a council vote to pause deployment.
- Boston (September 2025): Opted not to continue using Flock after pilot program ended.
What should drivers ask their local leaders?
If you're a driver in Massachusetts, this trend impacts how your location data might be collected and shared. It's important to know if your local police department uses ALPR technology, whether from Flock Safety or another provider. The ACLU of Massachusetts encourages residents to contact their municipal leaders to ask if their local police department uses Flock's LPR technology, or LPR technology through a different provider. It's also important to inquire if they are sharing ALPR data with agencies outside your community. Knowing these details can help you understand the extent of surveillance in your area. Check our map at /map to see where cameras have been reported.
The next step for many of these communities will be to either remove the cameras, formalize their non-renewal, or potentially seek alternative ALPR solutions with stricter privacy controls. The situation remains fluid as more towns consider their options regarding this technology.