Sep9Wed
New Bedford
Public Safety & Neighborhoods Committee
Past Meeting
Agenda · 2 items
Video
Transcript
4 actions · no votes recorded
Public Safety & Neighborhoods Committee
New Bedford, MA
Sep 9, 2026
Regular Meeting
Agenda item·WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting that the Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods immediately meet with Police Chief Jason Thody, a representative from the Mayor's Office, and a representative from Flock Safety; this meeting is to bring all parties together for the purpose of enhancing policies and procedures and strengthening community trust around the use of these cameras; the policy is transparent, with every search being logged and additional safeguards in place, not only to protect the civil rights of the citizens but for the Police Department as well. (Referred – August 25, 2026) (Matter ID #1302)·Item 1
WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Gomes, requesting that the Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods immediately meet with Police Chief Jason Thody, a representative from the Mayor's Office, and a representative from Flock Safety; this meeting is to bring all parties together for the purpose of enhancing policies and procedures and strengthening community trust around the use of these cameras; the policy is transparent, with every search being logged and additional safeguards in place, not only to protect the civil rights of the citizens but for the Police Department as well. (Referred – August 25, 2026) (Matter ID #1302)
Also decided: WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Burgo, Lopes and Abreu, requesting that the Committee on Public Safety & Neighborhoods meet with representatives of the New Bedford Police Department, the City Solicitor, the Information Technology Department, and any other appropriate officials to discuss the City's use of law enforcement surveillance technologies, including but not limited to automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems, Flock Safety cameras, public safety camera networks, and any other technologies capable of collecting or retaining data on the movement of vehicles or individuals; and further, that the Committee review the City's policies governing the collection, retention, sharing, security, and deletion of data generated by such technologies; the circumstances under which such data may be accessed or shared with outside law enforcement agencies; the safeguards in place to protect residents' constitutional rights and privacy; and whether additional local policies or ordinances are warranted to promote transparency, accountability, and public confidence while preserving the legitimate public safety benefits these technologies provide. (Referred – August 25, 2026) (Matter ID #1303)