Troy City Council Restricts Flock Camera Data Usage

The Troy City Council voted 6-0 to adopt Local Law #3, which imposes strict new limitations on the city's use of Flock automated license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras. The legislation reduces the data retention period from 30 days to 72 hours and restricts data searches to investigations involving felonies.

Mayor Carmella Mantello announced her intention to veto the law, arguing that the felony-only restriction ignores serious misdemeanors such as sexual misconduct and identity theft. The council is expected to override the potential veto. The vote follows a period of intense political conflict, including a lawsuit in Rensselaer County Supreme Court after the mayor used an emergency declaration to maintain the Flock contract when the council attempted to pause payments.

Council President Sue Steele noted that while some residents want the cameras removed entirely, ongoing litigation prevents the city from arbitrarily breaking the contract. Councilmember Noreen McKee, who drafted the legislation, described the law as a start that balances privacy rights with public safety tools.