The ACLU of Rhode Island issued the following statement today in response to reports that the Providence Police Department intends to triple the number of Flock Safety surveillance cameras in the city, announcing this decision less than two weeks after commencing a pilot program with the surveillance devices: 
 
“The interest of the Providence Police Department in creating a mini-surveillance state in the city has never been clearer.

Anybody interested in preserving privacy should be truly concerned as the department plans to triple the number of cameras spying on motorists in the city, not only without allowing sufficient time to gather data from the pilot program it is currently engaged in, but especially as a resolution signed by a majority of City Council members opposed to this surveillance languishes in committee.

The announcement of these plans also flies in the face of the testimony the department recently received, after seeking public input, that overwhelmingly expressed concerns about these surveillance devices. 
 
“As we have previously noted, the police department’s policy governing use of this invasive surveillance technology is woefully deficient in protecting privacy and is bound to be used in ways that undermine basic civil liberties.  
 
“We urge the City Council to act expeditiously in establishing clear and restrictive guidelines on the implementation of the surveillance cameras currently in place and in halting their expansion.”