# Special Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity and Education (HOPE) | November 11th 2026


**Body:** Providence City Council
**Date:** November 12, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Public Safety, Cybersecurity


The Providence City Council’s Special Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity and Education (HOPE) held a public-comment hearing on November 12, 2026, on a proposed ordinance concerning automated license plate readers (ALPRs). The proposal would add a section to the city’s police ordinance relating to ALPRs. Council President Rachel Miller, the sponsor, urged the city to reject Flock and similar surveillance systems, citing concerns about data access, security vulnerabilities, and potential use by federal immigration authorities. Several public commenters supported a broad ban on ALPRs, while Providence Police Commander O’Hara and Detective Bureau Captain Dennis O’Brien argued that the technology has helped investigators solve serious crimes and urged the committee to consider stronger safeguards or alternative providers. Police representatives said access is restricted and governed by department policy; the captain noted that alternatives could allow the city to retain control of the system and data.

No contract award, purchase approval, or vote on the ordinance occurred. Testimony referenced the city’s existing Flock contract and past spending on cameras, but no contract amount or number was stated. The committee voted to enter received testimony into the record and to continue the hearing; the chair announced a further meeting date, though the August 16 date given in the transcript appears inconsistent with the November meeting. The proposal, if adopted, could affect future city use of ALPR vendors. No procurement action was taken at this meeting.

**Source:** Providence City Council