Watertown Police Chief Defends Flock License Plate Cameras, Seeks Council Guidance

Watertown's police chief is defending automated license plate reader cameras and asking the city council to weigh in on their use.

Watertown Police Chief Dave Brower went before the Common Council on Tuesday to defend the department's use of Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras and to solicit the council's guidance on how they should be governed. Brower's appearance followed scrutiny from Jefferson County, suggesting the cameras had already drawn attention at a regional level before reaching the council floor. The cameras, made by Flock Safety, automatically capture and log license plate data from passing vehicles, a technology increasingly adopted by police departments across the country. The council has not yet issued a formal policy on the cameras' use, and Brower's request signals that the department is looking to elected officials to help set the parameters.

Why it matters

Automated license plate readers raise ongoing civil liberties questions about data retention, surveillance scope, and who can access the records. The council's policy decision could establish guidelines — or gaps — that affect residents' privacy in Watertown.

What's next

The Common Council is expected to deliberate on a governing policy for the Flock Safety cameras following Brower's request for their input.

Key facts

• Police Chief Dave Brower addressed the Watertown Common Council on Tuesday
• The cameras in question are made by Flock Safety and read license plates automatically
• Brower asked the council to provide input on the cameras' use, suggesting no formal policy yet exists
• Scrutiny from Jefferson County preceded Brower's appearance before the council
• Automated license plate readers log vehicle data from passing cars without active police stops

Bias & framing notes

Both sources share nearly identical text, suggesting they drew from the same report or wire copy. Neither source provides substantial detail on the nature of the council's policy concerns, the specific benefits Brower cited, or any opposition voices, leaving the story somewhat thin on both sides of the debate.

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