Binghamton Residents Want Flock Plate Readers Unplugged

Several people have called on Binghamton lawmakers to shut down the network of  police surveillance cameras and license plate readers that's been set up across the city.

More than a half-dozen residents urged city council members to remove Flock Safety devices that have been recording vehicles traveling into and out of Binghamton in recent years.

During a recent public comment period at a council meeting, one downtown Binghamton resident criticized what he described as "massive warrantless surveillance" underway through plate readers and cameras.

A Flock license plate reader on Riverside Drive on Binghamton's West Side. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

A woman told lawmakers that she passed by 19 cameras simply by driving to the session at City Hall.

Another Binghamton resident said he had been unsuccessful in seeking copies of the city's contracts with Flock Safety by filing freedom of information requests.

A licensed clinical social worker with a downtown Binghamton office said the use of devices like those provide by Flock and Motorola can generate a sense of apprehension in the community.

She said "the use of Flock for indiscriminate surveillance intensifies communal distrust."

A Flock Safety automated license plate reader on Conklin Avenue in Binghamton. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

City councilmember Rebecca Rathmell expressed thanks to those who discussed their concerns about license plate readers and cameras.

In an online post, she said early last month she asked city attorneys to provide a copy of any current contracts or agreements with Flock Safety or other automatic license plate reader systems.

In March, lawmakers in Ithaca voted to end the city's contract with Flock. In April, the Tompkins County legislature terminated its contract with the country.

Dozens of other local governments around the U.S. have taken similar action in recent months.

Pavement markings in Binghamton designated a spot for a Flock Safety license plate reader in June 2023, (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @bobjoseph.bsky.social on Bluesky or @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.