Provincetown bans license plate reader cameras

The Provincetown Select Board adopted a policy at its meeting Monday, Oct. 26, prohibiting the town from acquiring, installing, operating, accessing or using automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems, including Flock Safety cameras, and networked vehicle surveillance systems, the Town of Provincetown announced.

The town and the Provincetown Police Department have not been using this technology, and the new policy formalizes that approach while applying it to all town departments. The Police Department worked collaboratively on drafting the policy and supports its passage and implementation.

ALPR systems automatically capture license plates and vehicle information, creating searchable records of where and when vehicles have traveled. The policy is intended to protect the privacy and freedom of movement of residents, workers and visitors, while addressing concerns about data security and access to vehicle location records through shared surveillance networks.

The policy includes limited exceptions for certain parking functions, routine manual police plate inquiries, and receipt of information from other law enforcement agencies in specific serious investigations, subject to safeguards. Any future proposal to deploy an ALPR system would require a duly noticed public hearing and Select Board approval.

Residents and members of the public are encouraged to read the full policy.

Source: Town of Provincetown announcement, October 29, 2026.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the original announcement.