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ALPR Flock Safety Cameras 101: Surveillance in Rhode Island

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Last updated on June 10, 2026

Automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras are rapidly being installed in Rhode Island but are virtually unregulated in our state. Many ALPR cameras, such as those made by the brand Flock Safety, are continuously collecting data that can be kept and accessed by law enforcement agencies across the country. In short, we’re being surveilled as we travel through our state. Learn more about ALPR cameras, and what you can do to help protect privacy in our communities.

Watch our recent webinar presentation about ALPRs

Take Action for Privacy!

We'll keep updating this section with action items as cities and towns in RI consider adding or removing ALPR cameras.

Tiverton residents: On Monday, June 8, the Tiverton Town Council considered the Tiverton Police Department’s request to install four more Flock Safety cameras. The budget line item of $23,000 to pay for the cameras was preliminarily approved several weeks ago. The council did not vote on the budget, and we expect they will on June 22 — find their email addresses here and contact them before then to urge them to reject these cameras!

Little Compton residents: On Thursday, June 4, the Little Compton Town Council discussed the potential to add a Flock Safety ALPR camera to the Town. There was a dialogue about the proposed Flock Safety contract between residents, council members, the town solicitor, and the chief of police, which you can review on YouTube here. The council did not vote, and the agenda item could come up again soon.

Here’s the short version:

  • ALPRs, especially Flock Safety cameras, are capable of capturing much, much more information than regular license plate readers, and most RI police departments can share our data with other states and federal agencies, like ICE.
  • There are at least 240 Flock cameras in RI. (We don't know the exact number because it’s hard to get detailed information from some police departments.) As a result, you can essentially be tracked as you travel across the state.
  • These cameras are virtually unregulated in the state. Without state or local laws, we have very little transparency about how the data is being used, who can access the data, or how long the data is kept.

We're supporting H 8077 in the RI Legislative Session — read more information under "Lack of Existing Protections." Call, email, or talk to your state legislators and ask them to support this bill too!

Related Content

Publication | Letters & Testimony
Jun 3, 2026
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  • Privacy & Technology

LETTER Re: Little Compton Town Council Considers Flock Safety ALPR Camera

This letter was sent to the Little Compton Town Council urging the Council to reject the police department's request to install a Flock Safety brand automated license plate reader (ALPR) camera during their meeting on Thursday, June 4.