Common Council further restricts Flock readers, defers full ban
Syracuse Common Councilors unanimously voted to revoke the city's use of Flock Safety cameras, used by law enforcement to read license plates. Steven Wright | Contributing Photographer
Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox.
Subscribe to our newsletter here.
The Syracuse Common Council unanimously voted to revoke permissions for a Flock Safety automatic license plate reading camera at its regular Monday meeting.
The decision follows several attempts by the Common Council to restrict and decommission Flock ALPRs within city limits. ALPRs are primarily used by law enforcement to manage traffic, collect tolls, track suspects and identify stolen vehicles, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
The revocation cited privacy concerns, specifically worries over the possibility of Flock — a security software company — collecting and sharing the personal data of community members, according to the meeting’s agenda. Some reports claim that Flock cameras have been used by the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.
The ALPR the Councilors voted to remove Flock’s permissions to own and operate is a single pole-mounted camera at the intersection of Headson Drive and Thompson Road, previously approved in 2024 under an agreement with the Town of DeWitt Police Department.
The resolution follows the council’s decision to revoke an ordinance allowing Flock to install two ALPRs near SU’s campus in November.
The council held a resolution that would prohibit Flock from owning and operating ALPR cameras in the city, further requiring all Flock cameras to be removed immediately, for further discussion.
To replace the Flock ALPRs, the council authorized an over $400,000 agreement with AXON Enterprise for the purchase and maintenance of 26 license plate reading cameras for the Syracuse Police Department over 60 months, with the first 12 months free of charge.
AXON Enterprise develops technology products for military, law enforcement and civilians, according to its website.
Councilors also approved a resolution affirming their support for the proposed New York for All Act, a New York Law prohibiting police officers and other state entities from questioning people about their immigration status.
Additionally, the council held a public hearing on a proposed six-month moratorium on Battery Energy Storage Systems within city limits. The moratorium would pause any city zoning or permit approvals for battery storage facilities through mid-2026.
Other Business:
- Councilors approved the installation of a street sign at West Brighton Avenue and Webster Avenue honoring Donna Reese, a Syracuse civil rights advocate and former Centro board member who died in 2020.
- Councilors accepted a $100 donation from Tomorrow’s Neighborhoods Today, a Syracuse revitalization nonprofit, to purchase and install a plaque in Franklin Square honoring Syracuse’s 54th Mayor, Ben Walsh.
- The council approved multiple agreements with Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency to place kiosks collecting used batteries at Magnarelli, Southwest, Northeast and Bob Cecile Community Centers for three years beginning Feb. 1.
