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Documenting Police Tech in Our Communities
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Cambridge Police Department: Automated License Plate Readers

Flock brand automated license plate reader affixed to a light pole.
An example of a Flock Safety automated license plate reader.
Credit: Redlands Police Department
Agency Cambridge Police Department
Location Cambridge, MA
Technology Automated License Plate Readers
Vendor Flock Safety

The Cambridge Police Department received city council approval to acquire 15 to 20 fixed automated license plate reader cameras in February 2025. The agency suspended use of the technology over data sharing practices in October 2025.

Links
News article (Harvard Crimson)
Policy (Cambridge MA)
News article (CBS News)

More about this technology

Cameras attached to fixed locations or to patrol cars that are used to track license plates.

Flock brand automated license plate reader affixed to a light pole.
An example of a Flock Safety automated license plate reader.
Credit: Redlands Police Department