The City of Troy will continue using Flock Safety license plate reader cameras after the contract with the company renewed automatically at the end of March. The City Council did not take action before the renewal deadline, allowing the agreement to extend for another two years despite significant community debate over privacy and data security.

The contract, which supplies the city’s police department with 26 automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras stationed at busy intersections, became a focal point of concern at recent council meetings. Over 100 residents attended a finance committee meeting to voice worries about civil liberties and data use. According to NEWS10 ABC, not a single public speaker supported renewing the contract, while dozens called for its removal.

Mayor Carmella Mantello stated that, because the City Council tabled the resolution and missed the decision deadline, the contract automatically renewed. She emphasized that the cameras are used only to capture vehicle information, including license plate, make, model, and color. “They actually have to go to their supervisor in command to get approval to access that license plate, make, model, color. That is all we’re using these cameras for,” Mayor Mantello said, according to NEWS10 ABC.

Critics, including the group Troy Residents Against Flock Cameras, argue the technology infringes on civil liberties and raises questions about data storage and access. Bryan Paz-Hernandez, the group’s founder, said, “A large percentage of Trojans understand that these cameras violate our civil liberties,” and pledged to continue organizing educational sessions and advocacy efforts.

Members of the City Council, such as President Sue Steele, echoed concerns about oversight, data retention, and public transparency. Steele said, “There are simply too many unanswered questions about the proposed agreement, including data security and retention, access, ownership, and concerns over personal privacy.” She noted the council received the contract with little time for review and will keep pressing for more information from both the administration and Flock.

Troy Police Chief Steven Barker previously clarified the cameras do not provide live video feeds or facial recognition. The system can alert police in cases such as Amber Alerts, missing persons, or investigations involving stolen vehicles and violent crime, as reported by CBS6 Albany.

Mayor Mantello maintains that the city owns the data and does not share it outside law enforcement, as reported by Spectrum News. The debate in Troy reflects a wider national conversation about surveillance technology, with other cities such as Syracuse recently switching vendors over similar privacy concerns.

The City Council plans to continue evaluating the contract and may revisit the issue in the future as they seek additional information and craft oversight measures.

Elvis Duran