Wins

Recent ALPR cancellations, deactivations, and removals. Surveillance-technology ordinances and bans.

September 2026

Wilmington – Sept 15, 2026 – The Wilmington Police Department will end its contract with Flock Safety and remove the town’s two automated license-plate reader cameras, according to the department’s announcement. The cameras are located at Middlesex Avenue and Federal Street and at Main Street and Bridge Lane. The department expects a $2,500 refund for ending the agreement early; the contract had been scheduled to continue through Feb. 27, 2027. The cameras will be removed as soon as possible.
https://hoodline.com/2026/09/wilmington-to-end-flock-camera-contract-over-privacy-concerns/

Boylston – Sept 11, 2026 – Town and police leaders in Boylston on Friday announced that they will immediately suspend use of the Flock Safety system while the town’s contract is formally terminated. The Flock contract did not comply with the state’s Uniform Procurement Act. “The Police Department will continue to evaluate ALPR technology and other available options. Before any future decisions are made, we look forward to discussing the technology with residents, answering questions, and hearing the community’s input,” Boylston Police Department officials wrote in a statement.
https://www.wcvb.com/article/flock-massachusetts-boylston-decision/73689237
https://hoodline.com/2026/09/boylston-suspends-flock-spy-cameras-as-massachusetts-towns-flee-contracts/

New Bedford – Sep 11, 2026 – City councilors plan to vote Sept. 24 on an ordinance restricting the city’s use of automatic license plate readers.
Police in New Bedford temporarily suspended their use of Flock after significant public opposition and allegations that a New Bedford police officer used Flock license plate readers to stalk her ex-girlfriend.
New Bedford residents speaking out against mass surveillance helped drive this victory.
However: It’s not clear whether or not the cameras are still suspended.
https://newbedfordlight.org/city-council-to-vote-on-ordinance-restricting-flock-use/

Waltham – Sept 10, 2026 – Flock cameras covered by trash bags in Waltham. City councilor says they are “as popular as measles”.
https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/flock-cameras-covered-waltham-massachusetts/
https://masslegalresources.com/2026/09/13/waltham-flock-cameras-bagged-forfeiture-funds/
https://hoodline.com/2026/09/waltham-mayor-orders-flock-cameras-covered-with-trash-bags-council-left-in-dark/

Stoughton – Sept 4, 2026 – Stoughton’s acting police chief announced that all Flock cameras in town will be removed by October 1. In the meantime, town workers will cover Flock cameras with bags (starting Sept 9).
https://newslinklive.com/2026/09/10/stoughton-police-cancel-flock-safety-contract-to-palliate-community-concerns-enhance-public-trust/

Barnstable – Sept 3, 2026 – Barnstable’s four Flock cameras are headed for shutdown after the Town Council voted Sept. 3 to end the town’s contract with Flock Safety and discontinue use of its automated license plate readers.
https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/public-safety/2026/09/05/barnstable-flock-cameras-removed/91611060007/

Barre – Sept 2, 2026 – According to Barre’s police chief, one Flock camera has been deactivated in Barre, and plans to install a second camera have been suspended due to privacy concerns. Barre has also deactivated all officers’ Flock accounts.
https://shrewsburypost.com/2026/09/05/barre-police-deactivate-flock-safety-camera-and-suspend-second-installation/

Acushnet – Sept 2, 2026 – The Acushnet Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to discontinue the Acushnet Police Department’s use of Flock license plate readers pending a review for contract termination. Until recently, the police department was using Flock’s nationwide data sharing feature.
https://newbedfordlight.org/acushnet-suspends-dartmouth-ends-flock-programs-amid-controversy/

Dartmouth – Sept 1, 2026 – The Dartmouth Police department will not be renewing their contract with Flock. The contract expires Sept 29. This was decided for a number of reasons, including privacy concerns and the cost.
“I think what I’m looking to do now is to take a little break from the system, evaluate and see how things play out,” said the police chief.
A resident asked that the Select Board consider the Community Control Over Police Surveillance initiative, which creates a transparent process where the police have to explain to the public what they are doing and why. I think the technology outpaces the ability to regulate.
https://dartmouth.theweektoday.com/article/dartmouth-police-cancel-flock-camera-contract/159233

Abington – Sept 1, 2026 – Abington’s police chief announced that the police department will end its agreement with Flock and will request that the cameras be removed.
Chief Bonney said he didn’t seek Town Meeting or Select Board approval to buy the cameras because the money came from a federal grant and he doesn’t need permission to buy law enforcement tools.
https://www.wcvb.com/article/flock-massachusetts-abington-ayer-southbridge/73583944
https://abingtonnews.org/2026/09/01/abington-joins-growing-just-of-towns-ending-use-of-flock-cameras/
Also: A resident of Marshfield entered her license plate number on HaveIBeenFlocked and found an officer in Abington used Flock in March of 2025 to track her driving activities over a seven-day period by searching 88 networks on the company’s system. The officer categorized the search reason as “suspicious activity.”
But the resident hasn’t been in Abington in years. The officer, she discovered, graduated high school with her; she said they didn’t have any sort of relationship. “I felt like my privacy had been violated,” she said. “I’m just an ex-classmate. Why did [he] look me up?” Following a Globe inquiry, Abington Police Chief John Bonney said he was looking into the incident. He added the department regularly audits its officers use of Flock.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/08/21/business/flock-safety-police-misuse-massachusetts/

August 2026

Ayer – Aug 31, 2026 – At their meeting on August 31, 2026, the Ayer Select Board voted unanimously (3-0) to immediately disable and remove all Flock cameras and technology from the Town of Ayer and to terminate the Town’s contract with Flock, citing concerns expressed by residents.
https://www.ayer.ma.us/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/73

Groton – Aug 31, 2026 – The Town of Groton announced it is terminating its contract with Flock.
However: “Stepping back now gives us the room to build something better, together. The Town’s Police Camera Working Group will bring a permanent recommendation to voters at the Spring 2027 Town Meeting.”
https://www.grotonma.gov/2026/08/31/town-of-groton-to-terminate-flock-safety-camera-contract-commit-to-developing-permanent-solution-for-spring-2027-town-meeting/

Southbridge – Aug 31, 2026 – The Southbridge Police Department announced it is suspending the use of Flock ALPRs. The cameras were installed earlier in 2026 and they have not been used by officers for investigations or law enforcement purposes, according to the post.
However: Suspended, not cancelled.
https://www.masslive.com/centralmass/2026/08/central-mass-police-department-ends-use-of-flock-cameras-citing-trust.html
https://shrewsburypost.com/2026/09/03/southbridge-suspends-flock-automated-license-plate-reader-program/

Easton – Aug 30, 2026 – Easton police have terminated their contract with Flock.
“I made the decision to terminate our existing contract with Flock effective at the end of this contract year, which ends in October 2026.”
https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/easton-police-terminate-flock-contract/ABF2MMZRWVF57ES6K6C3YCGFJQ/

Bellingham – Aug 28, 2026 – The Bellingham Police Department announced Wednesday it would not renew its contract with Flock when the current agreement expires on Sept. 4, next week.
In a public letter, Bellingham Police Chief Kenneth Fitzgerald stated that last year, Flock “tried to modify some of the terms of our service and access, while the contract was still in place.” He said this “raised concerns for me about our relationship with the company.”
During a recent criminal investigation, Chief Fitzgerald was further incensed when the department learned a feature called Flock “Free Form” was available through the cameras used by the department — an “Al-powered tool that can search video information using plain-language searches,” the chief said.
https://www.masslive.com/news/2026/08/bellingham-police-chief-drops-flock-cameras-after-discovering-ai-tool.html

Auburn – Aug 25, 2026 – The Auburn Police Department announced Tuesday it is ending its contract with Flock Safety, a company that makes automated license plate reader cameras.
The department made the announcement on Facebook, saying the relationship with Flock is ending due to a “contractual defect.” The post does not go into detail about what this defect is. As a result, all Flock cameras in Auburn have been deactivated, according to the Facebook post.
https://www.masslive.com/centralmass/2026/08/central-mass-town-ends-license-plate-reader-contract-amid-growing-backlash.html
https://the016.com/blogs/3/3717/auburn-joins-wave-of-mass-communities-dropping-flock-cameras

Douglas – Aug 26, 2026 – The Douglas Police Department announced it will stop using Flock cameras in town, immediately deactivating all the cameras and department accounts.
However: Doesn’t say cancelled.
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2026/08/26/auburn-bellingham-and-douglas-join-growing-list-of-mass-towns-cutting-ties-with-flock/

East Bridgewater – Aug 21, 2026 – Police Chief Michael Jenkins announced Friday that the East Bridgewater Police Department will terminate its contract with surveillance company Flock Safety and remove the single automated license plate reader camera already installed in town, ending a program that drew sustained opposition from residents at a packed Select Board meeting earlier this month.
https://www.southshore.news/p/east-bridgewater-police-to-cancel

Grafton – Aug 21, 2026 – GraftonPolice/Facebook: “All Flock devices in the Grafton network were decommissioned at approximately 11:55 AM on Friday 08/21. I periodically check to confirm that the devices are no longer capturing or recording any images. I also continue to work on getting a timeline from Flock officials regarding the physical removal of the devices and all associated equipment. As soon as I have that information, I will make it publicly available.”
https://shrewsburypost.com/2026/08/21/grafton-deactivates-flock-cameras-after-month-of-use/

Hopkinton – Aug 20, 2026 – Hopkinton’s Select Board voted to cancel the town’s contract with Flock after significant public pushback. Notably, after a legal review of the town’s Flock contract, the town concluded the contract violated state procurement law.
https://hopkintonindependent.com/hopkinton-terminates-contract-for-flock-security-cameras/

Wellesley – Aug 19, 2026 – The town decided to terminate a [two year] pilot program early, ending Flock deployment in Wellesley. The camera, which had been located on a pole at the intersection of Rte. 9 East and Rte. 16 near Elm Park, was removed on Aug. 18.
https://theswellesleyreport.com/2026/08/wellesley-police-dept-ends-flock-license-plate-reader-trial-early-amidst-overwhelmingly-changed-landscape/

Stow – Aug 18, 2026 – Stow’s police department disabled the town’s Flock cameras (July 2026), terminated their Flock contract, and placed an officer on leave after the officer allegedly queried the Flock system for personal reasons.
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2026/08/18/stow-police-cut-ties-with-flock-safety-after-officer-allegedly-used-cameras-to-track-someone-he-knows/
https://shrewsburypost.com/2026/08/24/stow-police-remove-flock-as-officer-faces-criminal-charges-over-misuse/

Littleton – Aug 14, 2026 – Like in dozens of communities across the country, many Littleton residents were displeased to learn about the installation of Flock Safety’s automatic license plate-reading cameras earlier this year. In May, following backlash, town officials voted to shut down the six cameras on public roads.
Last week, police discovered Flock had restored power to the cameras without notifying the town.
The discovery, detailed in a Littleton Police Department notice this week, led the Department to order the cameras remotely powered down, disable system login access for officers, and confirm a Flock work order was in place to remove the cameras from utility poles “as soon as possible.”
A July 30 town announcement stated the Select Board had “directed Town Counsel to initiate cancellation of the contract with Flock Safety,” but Town Administrator James Duggan told a Globe reporter Wednesday that the town has not canceled its contract and is in the process of reviewing the technology and concept.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/08/06/business/flock-littleton-license-plate-camera-disable/

July 2026

Salem – July 24, 2026 – City officials announced Salem would discontinue its Flock deployment and find alternative license plate readers with stronger protections around local control of data. Northshore Progressives led a coalition of local grassroots organizations and residents to achieve this victory. The Flock contract expired June 30.
However: “Miller and Pangallo said that the city would seek an alternative vendor with different data privacy rules.”
https://www.wcvb.com/article/flock-camera-contract-ending-salem-ma-july-24/73258537

June 2026

Easthampton – June 10, 2026 – Easthampton’s City Council Finance Committee voted to cut roughly $53,870 from the fiscal year 2027 override budget and moved to terminate the city’s Flock Safety license plate camera contract.
Residents have had concerns about Flock Safety and other license plate cameras for years, but city officials didn’t understand how these systems share data outside of the city and gave misleading or incorrect statements to the public.
https://easthampton.ma.townbrief.com/easthampton-finance-committee-trims-53-870-and-cuts-flock-camera-funding/
https://openeasthampton.com/easthampton-shared-more-data-with-flock/

Framingham – June 25, 2026 – After months of resident opposition and grassroots organizing by Framingham Fights Back and other local organizations, the police department chose not to renew its Flock contract. Sept. 2026: Framingham Leaders to Consider Complete ALPR Ban.
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2026/06/25/framingham-police-will-not-renew-flock-safety-contract-after-months-of-resident-opposition/
https://www.accessfram.tv/article/framingham-leaders-to-consider-complete-alpr-ban

Sharon – June 23, 2026 – Sharon’s Select Board voted not to renew the town’s Flock contract when it expires in September 2026. The Sharon Select Board unanimously voted on June 23 to notify Flock Safety that the Town would be ending its contract before Sept. 12, 2026.
Background: In July 2025, the Sharon Select Board accepted a donation from a resident that funded seven Flock camera installations around town and approved the Flock contract without public input.
The predominantly negative sentiment among Sharon residents was summed up by a Sharon resident and attorney: “the way in which Flock cameras were deployed in Sharon absolutely was a form of government overreach,” and “there needs to be guardrails on tools that the police use. There is something off-putting about 24/7 monitoring of people on a continuous feed into a cloud that our town police do not own.”
https://www.sharonma.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/164
https://yaledailynews.com/sjp/2026/stories/one-battle-won-against-flock-security

March 2026

Attleboro – March 2026 – Attleboro ended its deployment of Flock LPRs, citing cost concerns.
https://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/attleboro-police-department-among-others-in-state-getting-rid-of-flock-cameras/article_2e0d5895-8828-4ed4-955e-8044cab79ee5.html

January 2026

Watertown – Jan 28, 2026 – After agreeing to install eight Flock cameras, the City of Watertown canceled its Flock contract. Watertown’s city manager cited concerns about entrusting a private company like Flock with license plate reader data and raised questions about technology’s role in policing.
https://watertownmanews.com/2026/01/28/watertown-cancelling-contract-for-flock-license-plate-reading-cameras/

Natick – Jan 28, 2026 – After being blindsided by a Natick Police pilot of Flock Safety license plate reader technology, the Select Board this past week voted unanimously to end the trial.
https://www.natickreport.com/2026/01/natick-select-board-quashes-flock-license-plate-reader-pilot-police-chief-apologizes-explains/

Greenfield – Jan 22, 2026 – The City of Greenfield ended its deployment of Flock LPRs, citing cost concerns.
https://recorder.com/2026/01/22/greenfield-police-remove-flock/

December 2025

Cambridge – Dec 10, 2025 – Cambridge has terminated its contract with Flock Safety, a maker of automated license plate reader cameras and data tools, after debate over the security of the system’s data.
Trust in the company crumbled Tuesday during a Public Safety Committee meeting when police commissioner Christine Elow said Flock had installed two cameras after the city ordered all Flock devices to be taken down to assess data security concerns.
Digital Fourth and Old Dykes Against Billionaire Tech Bros’ advocacy was integral to this victory.
https://www.cambridgeday.com/2025/12/10/city-cancels-deal-license-plate-tech/
https://www.cambridgema.gov/news/2025/12/statementontheflocksafetyalprcontracttermination

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