Backlash is growing nationally and in some local communities to Flock Group Inc. cameras that capture and record license plate numbers of passing cars.
About half of Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns use them, though two, South Kingstown and Narragansett, recently voted to stop due to concerns about misuse.
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The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island is among those opposed to the cameras, primarily due to privacy concerns and isolated national examples of misuse.
But law enforcement generally stands behind the cameras as helpful in solving crimes.
Police Chief Oscar Perez says the cameras have helped in several investigations, including the deadly shooting on the Brown University campus last December.
The ACLU backed legislation that would have added safeguards and criteria for the use of Flock cameras and data access throughout the state. The bill died in committee in the House.
