To the Editor,

On November 9, Medway residents will have the opportunity to make a crucial decision regarding the future of automated surveillance in our community. Thanks to a citizen petition backed by over 400 signatures from Medway voters, the upcoming Fall Town Meeting warrant includes an article to ban the use of Flock Safety Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) in our town.

While DeFlock Medway-the local community group spearheading this initiative-has immense respect and support for the Medway Police Department, we have significant concerns about the privacy threats, massive data collection, and financial implications of Flock Safety's sprawling network. Unlike traditional security cameras, Flock operates on a subscription "Safety-as-a-Service" model, continuously scanning license plates and vehicle characteristics. It feeds this data into a massive, searchable database shared across thousands of jurisdictions without a warrant, effectively tracking the daily movements of innocent residents.

We are not alone in our concerns. Over 40 other Massachusetts towns have recently voted to remove their Flock systems or cancel their contracts following public outcry over civil liberties and transparency.

Throughout October, our community came together at local standouts and educational events with the ACLU to highlight these exact dangers. The debate over Flock cameras asks us a critical question: how do we balance modern policing tools with our constitutional right to privacy? Now, the time for discussion is culminating in action, and the people of Medway have the final say.

I strongly encourage all residents to learn more by visiting deflockmedway.com or our Facebook page, and most importantly, to attend the Fall Town Meeting on November 9 to cast your vote on this pivotal issue.

Sincerely,

Michael Fahey, DeFlock Medway