Asked about the controversial license plate-reading technology, Charles defended its use and argued that surveillance is necessary for law enforcement.
WGME: ‘There is room for surveillance’: Maine gubernatorial candidates weigh in on Flock cameras
Sept 16
PORTLAND (WGME) — At least three southern Maine towns have terminated their contracts with Flock.
South Portland, Falmouth and York are no longer using Flock cameras to automatically read license plates of passing cars.
Falmouth plans to switch to a different surveillance company, while Lewiston has multiple Flock cameras across the city.
“If there’s no objection, I plan on just removing the cameras immediately,” York Police Chief Owen Davis said.
York is the latest community to discontinue the use of Flock’s AI-powered license plate reading cameras, ahead of a November vote to ban them.
The police chief says his department had safeguards protecting data collected by the cameras, but locals are concerned about what Flock does with the data.
“They’re not concerned about what we’re doing with them,” Davis said. “It’s a broader concern of the cameras and the company.”
CBS13 asked Maine’s candidates for governor about the use of Flock cameras.
“You know, people feel like they are being surveilled by both private entities, by their own community,” Democrat Hannah Pingree said. “And they don’t know where that information is going.”
Pingree and Independent Rick Bennett say they would support a statewide ban on Flock cameras.
“There is room for surveillance,” Republican Bobby Charles said. “There are 4th Amendment protections. And when a law enforcement officer or community needs to protect us, we need to be able to provide them with the tools.”
“I mean, people want to stop crime,” Pingree said. “They want to be able to stop criminals. But I think Flock has taken it too far.”
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