Jackson, NJ – When it comes to privately owned Flock security cameras capturing data from drivers on public roads in Jackson, one slate is saying, “No Flocking Way!”
A debate over automated license plate reader cameras has entered the Jackson Township political campaign after the Fight for Jackson slate publicly opposed the use of Flock Safety cameras, citing privacy concerns and constitutional rights, days after it was reported that privately owned systems are scanning publicly owned roads and citizens.
The statement comes after Shore News Network reported that two automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras are installed at the entrances to the Royal Grove neighborhood, where they record license plates and other identifying information from vehicles traveling on public roads.
Candidates oppose automated license plate readers
In a statement posted on social media, the Fight for Jackson slate said it does not support Flock cameras or what it described as “mass surveillance” in Jackson Township.
“We believe our community can be both safe and free,” the group said. “Protecting public safety should never come at the expense of the constitutional rights and privacy of law-abiding citizens.”
The candidates also cited Fourth Amendment concerns, arguing that systems collecting and storing information about where people travel raise questions about privacy and government overreach.
The statement concluded, “No Flock Cameras. No Mass Surveillance. Liberty. Privacy. Jackson First.”
The slate includes mayoral candidate Elliott Shem-Tov and council candidates Amanda Trombetta and Chris Pollak.
Police say cameras are not connected to department
Following Shore News Network’s inquiry into the cameras, Jackson Police Chief Mary Nelson confirmed the department neither owns nor operates the system.
“The aforementioned cameras are not police cameras,” Nelson said in a statement. “They are owned and operated through the Royal Grove homeowners association.”
“The police department does not have any agreements with such cameras,” she added.
The cameras are located near the intersections of East Veterans Highway and Royal Grove Boulevard and Grand Boulevard and Royal Grove Boulevard. Based on their appearance, they are consistent with Flock Safety’s Falcon automated license plate reader system, which captures license plate images along with a vehicle’s make, model, color and direction of travel.
Jackson Township Mayor Jennifer Kuhn, Council President Mordechai Burnstein, Council Vice President Giuseppe Palmeri and the rest of the council have remained silent on the matter since it was first reported.
Privacy debate continues
Supporters of automated license plate readers say the technology can help recover stolen vehicles, identify suspects and generate investigative leads.
Privacy advocates, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Frontier Foundation, have argued that widespread deployment creates databases documenting the movements of law-abiding motorists and have raised concerns about data retention, access controls and potential misuse.
Because the Royal Grove cameras are privately owned by the homeowners association, Jackson police said the department does not have an agreement governing their use.
