North Shore Police Credit Flock Cameras With Helping Find Child In Stolen Car

LYNN, MA — At a time when several cities and towns across the state are debating whether to discontinue use of the Flock automated license plate reader camera system — and similar ALPR camera and data storage systems — amid concerns of abuse and the creation of a "surveillance state," Lynn police are crediting Flock cameras for helping find a 6-year-old who was in a car when it was stolen in the city on Monday.

Lynn police said the vehicle was stolen with the child inside and tracked down with the child safe and sound inside in Everett just 39 minutes later using the Flock technology.

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Police said the incident "highlights the critical role of modern investigative technology, rapid information sharing, and interagency cooperation in protecting the community."

• License Plate Tracking Debate Rages Across MA As Cities, Towns Turn Off Cameras

"From the moment this call came in, our priority was finding this child and bringing them home safely," said Lynn Police Chief Christopher Kelly. "Within approximately 39 minutes, the child was recovered safely. Technology like Flock Safety provides our officers with valuable investigative information.

"This incident demonstrates the importance of having these resources available."

Lynn was one of several Massachusetts cities and towns where officers were placed on administrative leave on suspicion of using the camera's stored data for personal use.

Lynn police said at the time that search anomalies involving two officers were found in an audit of department surveillance monitoring using a tool provided by Flock.

• 2 North Shore Police Officers Suspended After Suspected Flock Abuse

"This review revealed a concerning pattern in some searches," Lt. Ashley Affonco said in a message to the community in August. "If it is determined that an officer conducted searches in violation of department policy, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken."

The potential abuse of Flock ALPR data has been an increasingly divisive issue across the state in recent months — with some North Shore residents raising concerns about how federal agencies such as ICE could obtain that information and use it for immigration enforcement, and mounting cases of audits showing that police personnel accessed that information and used it to surveil residents for personal reasons.

Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo this summer said that the city would be terminating its contract with Flock and would instead seek another ALPR provider, while other cities and towns have announced they are shutting the cameras off entirely.

• Salem To End Flock Camera Pact, Will Keep Public Safety Surveillance

Beverly is facing a mid-November deadline for extending its contract with Flock and last week held a public meeting on the issue.

At that meeting, all 15 resident speakers spoke out against the use of Flock — or any other — cameras to track drivers, while Police Chief John LeLacheur countered that the ALPR systems have been vital in solving crimes and safely finding those in potential danger in recent months.

• Beverly Residents Speak Out Against 'Surveillance State' In Flock Debate

The Lynn Police Department on Tuesday extended its appreciation to the Everett Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, and all assisting agencies for their swift response and cooperation.

Lynn police said the vehicle theft and kidnapping remain under investigation as of Tuesday and that information regarding potential charges would be released when they are determined.