*** 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 ***

New Bedford Police Chief Jason Thody has announced that the department will temporarily suspend its use of Flock Safety technology as it conducts a thorough review of the department’s use of the technology and how to best ensure its secure use going forward.

The department acquired Flock Safety technology in 2024, prior to Chief Thody’s tenure, as an additional tool to support public safety and assist with criminal investigations. Chief Thody is now directing a review of how the technology has been used since its acquisition.

The review will help the department better understand how Flock has been utilized and determine whether, and under what circumstances, the department should continue using the technology in the future.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that any technology used by the department supports public safety while protecting the members of the community we serve," said Chief Thody. "Flock can be a valuable investigative tool, but we also recognize that technologies like this raise legitimate questions about privacy, access, information sharing, and oversight. We need to make sure that if we continue using this technology, we do so responsibly and in a way that serves the public. This and other emerging technologies can have positive impacts on safety, but must be implemented with caution and due diligence."

As part of the review, the department will examine Flock’s use in past criminal investigations and assess the technology’s role in supporting public safety. The department will also explore best practices and work with elected officials, partners, and the public to develop more effective policies and procedures for its use.

The department can also confirm that, based on recent technology audits, internal investigations have been opened, and one officer has been placed on administrative leave. The investigations remain active, and no further information will be released at this time.

The department has begun the review process, and the temporary suspension will take effect this week. The department will provide additional information regarding the future use of Flock Safety once the review is complete.

Petition to Mayor Jon Mitchell, the New Bedford City Council, and Police Chief Thody: Suspend Flock. We Demand Transparency.

As I mentioned in another post, Councilor Burgos called for a review of Flock "guardrails" at the Council's next meeting in August. Originally I thought that he had requested a vote to tear them down, but the language does not bear that out at all.

I've heard, though, that Leo Choquette (Ward 1), called for a vote to move for a moratorium on Flock equipment use in the city until November, when the contract ends. It's a little murky because Councilors are nervous and in general not too bright, either.

Leo's motion is honestly a better move in my view, as it would stop the sharing of Flock data until the contract expired. Shane's suggestion seems to just re-hash what was stated at the forum, which was overwhelming disapproval of Flock for any reason whatsoever. The people don't want it. Stop trying to sell it to us.

Choquette (still don't know if I'm spelling that right) is inept, but after last night he's shook and is just aiming to please.

So let's give him a big ol' target, then vote for a more practical candidate next time around.

Flock forum took place from 6-8pm tonight at Pulaski. 170+ residents in attendance. Flock representative shouted down. Chief of Police boo'ed and heckled. Ward 1 Councilor Leo Choquette (or whatever) also resoundingly boo'ed (bless his little heart). A councilor called for a vote to move to tear down cameras at next meeting.

Any councilor who votes in the negative to remove is a coward. We know you're mostly trumpers, but that was brutal for you. ACLU lawyer--who also spoke--commented that the turnout and tenor of the meeting was among the best he'd seen in the state.

Flock out of New Bedford.