New Bedford Council Resumes Flock Camera Debate After Protests

The New Bedford City Council scheduled a special session for August 25, 2026, to resume debates over the use of Flock Safety automated license plate readers. The move follows a session on August 20 that was suspended after dozens of protesters booed and shouted insults at Councilor Brian Gomes, who had proposed a motion to improve community trust and policies regarding the technology.

The controversy intensified after Police Chief Jason Thody suspended the camera system on August 11. This action followed a July 31 audit that revealed potential unauthorized use of the technology, leading the New Bedford Police Department to place an officer on leave for allegedly using the readers to track an ex-girlfriend.

Councilor at Large Shane Burgo hosted a community meeting on August 24 to educate residents on the legislative process, noting that disruptions stemmed from a misunderstanding that the council would ban the cameras immediately rather than referring the matter to a committee. Burgo intends to revive four tabled items, including requests for transparent data collection reviews and the potential total abolition of the readers. He clarified that while floor motions are non-binding requests, ordinances create legal mandates that Mayor Jon Mitchell must act upon within 10 days.