TEACH-IN ON ALPRS IN MASSACHUSETTTS: Wednesday September 2 at 7:30pm on Zoom
What are ALPRs?
Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) are technology (including cameras and software) that scan and identify passing vehicles. Some ALPR companies like Flock operate nationwide searchable databases that can be used to track individuals’ movements across the country.
The point of ALPRs is vehicle recognition to be able to track your location and movement. Data sharing, officially or unofficially, amplifies the danger of this tech!
Learn all about ALPRs and the surveillance state:
It’s not just Flock
Flock is one brand that expanded quickly, dominates the market, and offers nationwide data sharing. But all ALPRs are concerning and there are many other brands, including Motorola Vigilant and Axon.
Flock is catching heat especially because of their nationwide data sharing. For example, they don’t have a contract with ICE, but organizers exposed side door access for ICE through police searching on their behalf.
All of these companies are profiting off of mass surveillance driven by law enforcement!
ALPRs in Massachusetts
Just like the rest of the country, ALPRs are expanding in Massachusetts and many cities are contracting with Flock.
- Mass State Police are using Motorola Vigilant, which directly contracts with ICE! There’s little information on their contract.
- Some cities are now just swapping out Flock with other brands (e.g. Salem switching to Axon).
- Boston Police have gone from a few 3M brand ALPRs to a pilot of 45 Flock ALPRs in 2025. Now in 2026, they have switched from Flock to piloting both Axon and Motorola!
BRIC’s ALPR Network
The Boston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC) is planning its own regional ALPR network. This will include ALPRs from: Boston, Chelsea, Everett, Quincy, Revere, and Winthrop. Boston and Quincy are the flagship cities with high numbers of ALPRs.
They would be accessible by all BRIC participants even those without ALPRs (e.g. Brookline and Cambridge police!). This is funded by DHS and subject to requirements that cities align with DHS’ national priorities (e.g. border enforcement).
