The Troy City Council is set to decide next week which company will supply police traffic cameras after its two-year contract with Flock Safety ends at the end of March. The 26 license plate-reading cameras, installed at key intersections across Troy, have become a focal point of public debate over privacy, policing, and data security.

At last week’s council meeting, several residents voiced concerns about possible misuse of the camera system, including fears that data could be shared with federal immigration authorities. According to NEWS10 ABC, Mayor Carmella Mantello responded, stating, "That couldn't be so far from the truth," and emphasized that Troy does not share camera data with federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Mayor Mantello also said the upcoming meeting is not about whether to continue using cameras, but rather which vendor to select moving forward. She argued that attempts to remove the cameras are "a first step in terms of potentially defunding our police department," a statement she reiterated on her Facebook page, according to CBS6 Albany.

City Council President Sue Steele disagreed, saying, "Our discussion about Flock cameras is in no way a first step or any step toward defunding the Troy Police Department. The City Council stands behind our police officers."

Residents who spoke at the meeting, including Bryan Paz-Hernandez, called for the cameras to be disabled until a public forum could be held to address concerns about data storage, access, and potential misuse. Paz-Hernandez said he is especially concerned for marginalized communities, including people of color and immigrants.

Troy Deputy Chief of Police Steven Barker clarified that the cameras take still images of vehicles and license plates at a specific moment and do not livestream or use facial recognition. He explained that the technology is used in a variety of investigations, including missing persons and stolen vehicle cases.

The city plans to hold a public safety meeting in the coming weeks to further discuss the issue with residents. For now, the cameras remain active as city officials weigh public input and evaluate potential vendors for the next contract. More details are available from reporting by NEWS10 ABC and CBS6 Albany.

Christa Cooper