Originally published by our associates at DeFlockNJ.org, republished with permission.
New Jersey residents have shown that they overwhelmingly oppose mass surveillance. Town council meetings have regularly seen residents express concern over the growing number of cameras around us. Opinions expressed online further demonstrate that we are overwhelmingly opposed to unregulated surveillance. As a result, our elected representatives are slowly beginning to react.
As a direct result of public outcry at town council meetings, Cherry Hill Township (Camden County) has decided not to renew its contract with Flock at the end of the year. While this is a significant win for local privacy, the fight isn't over. According to Mayoral Chief of Staff Brian Bauerle, officials are continuing to evaluate the technology and may resurrect surveillance in Cherry Hill with a different brand of camera system. Bauerle stated, “The police department is in the final stages of evaluating Axon automated license plate readers.” Residents must remain vigilant to ensure one surveillance network isn't simply swapped for another.
Further south, Shamong Township introduced an ordinance establishing a one-year moratorium on Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) and other surveillance tech on township property and rights-of-way. Mayor Michael Di Croce voiced strong support for the pause: “I’m opposed to turning Shamong into a surveillance community without demonstrating that the benefits outweigh the cost, violating our privacy implications with the potential for misuse and the loss of local control over our residents’ data.” The council is set to vote on the measure in early October.
In Franklin Township (Somerset County), residents have been packing town council meetings to express their opposition to mass surveillance. A petition demanding an end to the use of ALPR cameras in Franklin Township and all of Somerset County has gathered over 1,000 signatures to date. The responses so far from Mayor Phil Carter have been non-committal, but a dedicated citizenry will continue pressuring Franklin Township to take action.
On September 14th, State Assemblyman David Bailey Jr. introduced bill A5483. This bill would strictly regulate the usage of ALPR cameras and the data they collect. It would require the deletion of all images, metadata, and ancillary data within 2 days unless a legitimate law enforcement reason exists to retain the information. It prohibits private actors from using ALPR technology and requires a judicial warrant before sharing any ALPR-collected data with other states or the federal government. According to Bailey, “There are legitimate ways law enforcement can use this technology to stop crime, but we can’t have unregulated artificial intelligence tracking people throughout the state. This bill creates real oversight and protections—it strikes that balance.”
Not every municipality is moving in the right direction, however. Edison Township recently voted 6–1 to spend nearly $600,000 on 92 additional Flock cameras and a surveillance drone—bringing its total to over 110 cameras and making it the most surveilled municipality in New Jersey. The lone "no" vote, Councilman Richard Brescher, stated, "I think they're very, very effective, but just having Big Brother watch over us is a problem I have as a citizen of the United States."
Flock has recently hired lobbyists in New Jersey and across the country to influence our elected officials—making public outcry our absolute best defense. Here is how you can help protect privacy in New Jersey today:
- Contact your state representatives and urge them to support Bill A5483.
- Question your local candidates ahead of next month's election about where they stand on municipal surveillance and data rights.
- Attend your local town council meetings to ensure your community isn't the next to expand mass surveillance.
Public outcry remains our strongest shield.