Cambridge City HallPhoto: WBZ NewsRadio
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Cambridge put a pause on implementing a new license plate reading technology program.
This pause was put in place after city council members unanimously voted in favor over concerns the federal government would use the technology to further their immigration crackdown and deportation efforts.
This technology was installed by Flock Safety, a surveillance technology-focused company, that sells surveillance cameras as well as software. A majority of the council members approved the installation of the tech earlier this year in February. The majority approval changed after reports that data from the new tech had been used by U.S. Customs and Immigration in other areas that had it installed.
Kate Pearce, a student at MIT, was at the recent city council meeting where the pause was put in place. "I'm glad that the council has at least voted to pause the implementation of the Flock camera system and the license plate readers, I have a lot of certain concerns about surveillance tech of all kinds," Pearce said.
Many residents and those who work in Cambridge seem happy the pause was put in place, concerned about their and others' privacy. "We should have some sort of privacy and I think that is a huge infringement on it so I'm actually pretty happy, go Cambridge on that one," Riley said, who works in the area.
Some like Matilda, who lives in Cambridge, want to learn more about how the technology is used. "I want to know if there's evidence of that being used previously and also about how often the technology is actually used to catch crime," Matilda said.
Several councilors said the technology and company should be reviewed more and that they should look for any possible alternatives. The city council is currently reviewing its partnership with Flock Safety, and if it's in compliance with the Sanctuary City Ordinance.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.