Norwell Discontinues Flock Cameras, Orders Data Destroyed

Norwell is ending its use of Flock license plate reader cameras, ordering the cameras shut off immediately and directing that data collected by the system be destroyed.

The Norwell Police Department announced the decision Wednesday, Sept. 30, saying it came after feedback from residents and discussions with members of the Select Board. The department will work with Flock Safety to remove cameras already installed throughout town.

In a separate letter sent to Flock Safety on Wednesday, Town Administrator Chad Lovett formally rescinded the permission granted in December 2025 for the company to install license plate reader cameras on town-owned property.

“Effective immediately, Flock Safety is directed to turn off all LPR cameras installed on Town-owned property and to cease all data collection from those cameras,” Lovett wrote.

The letter also directs Flock to remove its equipment from town property and destroy data collected by the cameras. The company was instructed to notify Police Chief Edward Lee and Lovett in writing when that process is complete.

The decision comes as town officials had been preparing for a Select Board discussion about the cameras Sept. 30. At the board's Sept. 16 meeting, Lovett said the Police Department had added information about Flock to its website along with a form allowing residents to submit comments, questions and concerns directly to the department.

Board members at that meeting encouraged residents to participate in the Sept. 30 discussion and said comments submitted in advance were expected to be part of the conversation. In its announcement Wednesday, the Police Department said those perspectives played a role in the decision to discontinue the technology.

“The department recognizes that maintaining the trust and confidence of the community is an important part of effective public safety, and the perspectives shared by residents were an important part of this decision,” Lee wrote.

The department did not provide a specific date for when the cameras will be physically removed. While that process is underway, the cameras will either be covered or made inoperable, according to Lee's statement. The department said additional information about the removal process and timeline will be provided when available.

Lovett's letter goes further by requiring Flock to immediately stop collecting data from cameras located on town-owned property, regardless of when the equipment itself is removed. The Police Department said it will continue working with residents and town officials on approaches to public safety after the Flock program ends.

“The Norwell Police Department thanks residents and the Select Board for their participation in this conversation and for their continued partnership in keeping our community safe,” Lee wrote.

Flock Safety was directed to coordinate removal of the equipment with the Norwell Police Department and provide written confirmation to Lee and Lovett when the removal and data destruction are complete.