Beverly Residents Speak Out Against 'Surveillance State' In Flock Debate

BEVERLY, MA — With less than a month remaining before Beverly must decide on renewing a contract with Flock for its license-plate reader cameras and data storage, residents voiced their opposition to the cameras as part of what was repeatedly referred to as a "surveillance state" at a Beverly City Council Subcommittee meeting this week.

All 15 residents who spoke during public comment at the Committee on Legal Affairs and Public Services meeting on Monday night voiced opposition to the continued use of the ALPR cameras — specifically from Flock but, for many, any use of the tracking technology.

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They cited abuses of the system that have led to several cities and towns across the state opting out of Flock and scrapping use of similar ALPR systems.

But Beverly Police Chief John LeLacheur defended the benefits of the system — noting how it has helped solve crimes and locate individuals who might have been in danger in some high-profile cases in recent years.

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"We have found the cameras to be extremely helpful," LeLacheur said, "in solving numerous cases, saving people from attempted suicides."

He said those included identifying suspects in the home invasion on Hale Avenue, finding a suicidal man who threatened to drive off the Kernwood Bridge, solving an arson on Cabot Street and identifying the suspect in a hit-and-run on the Lynnway.

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He also noted that there is "no expectation of privacy" for anyone when they are in public and equated the Flock system to the legal right of law enforcement to run anyone's license plate — which is property of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts — for any reason at any time.

LeLacheur allowed that there have been accusations of officers across the country and the state abusing the system to track residents for personal reasons. But he said there are safeguards in place to detect and act upon anyone who might attempt to do that in Beverly.

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"If I found an officer who was misusing the plates, I can tell everyone here, I can tell the Council, they would not be working for the Beverly Police Department," LeLacheur said, adding that the department is considering limiting the amount of time when data can be accessed from 30 days down to seven.

Beverly's contract with Flock is set to expire on Nov. 13.

City Councilor and Committee Chair Todd Rotondo said the Council can hold the forum and discussions on the issue but that it is ultimately up to Mayor Mike Cahill and the Beverly Police Department whether to extend the Flock contract or to contract with a different company performing essentially the same service.