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Bill to regulate license plate reading cameras in Rhode Island met with mixed opinions


A Flock camera, which reads license plates, is shown on a pole in Providence. The city is installing 60 more of them. (WJAR)
A Flock camera, which reads license plates, is shown on a pole in Providence. The city is installing 60 more of them. (WJAR)
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Rhode Island lawmakers discussed a bill that would regulate the use of automated license plate readers across the state, otherwise known as Flock cameras.

"Right now, there are no laws that control how this system can be used," said Rep. Joseph Solomon, who introduced the bill.

During a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, Solomon said the bill would set limits and provide guidelines for when authorities could utilize the cameras.

Several police agencies said they are against the bill.

Cranston Police Chief Michael Winquist sent NBC 10 the following statement, writing in part:

"I am strongly opposed to this bill as it would diminish the effectiveness of this valuable technology that helped solve many crimes in the City of Cranston and locate missing and endangered persons. The victims of these crimes, including home invasion, car jacking, bank robbery, domestic assault, drive-by shooting, vehicle theft and many others have expressed their appreciation. Thankfully our department invested in this legal and constitutional tool that is not only solving crimes, but also preventing and deterring criminals contemplating coming to our city to victimize our residents and businesses."

Warwick and Woonsocket police also told NBC 10 News they're against the bill as written.

The Rhode Island Police Chief's Association said they are opposed to the current bill being presented, but added they don't have a problem with a requirement to notify the public of their installation, but believe the model policies cover proper use.

Solomon said he has spoken with police and Flock representatives about the bill.

"I actually think we were 95% of the way there," he said.

The Flock spokesperson said they are not against a regulatory bill and look forward to continuing working with state leaders on it.

Meanwhile, civil rights advocates have had concerns from the beginning, and appreciate the regulation.

"It's a very invasive type of surveillance camera that records a number of pieces of information about every car that drives by the camera. But what was really concerning was that these surveillance cameras had initially gone up with no public input, no public outreach, and no true transparency as to the actual and very concerningly broad capabilities of the technology," said Hannah Stern with the ACLU.

The bill has not yet been voted on.

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