Envoirment and Resilliency Special Committee|May 1st, 2026

The Providence City Council's Environment and Resiliency Special Committee met on May 1, 2026, to discuss the human rights and privacy implications of the Flock surveillance camera system currently deployed in Providence. Students from Roger Williams College presented research highlighting concerns about data sharing, privacy, and the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) by Flock, including potential unauthorized access by federal agencies such as ICE. The committee also reviewed the city's public safety budget, noting increased funding potentially linked to surveillance technology, and discussed the lack of evidence that Flock cameras effectively solve crimes. Additionally, the meeting included public comments supporting a new climate-related ordinance to establish a Green Revolving Fund aimed at funding energy efficiency and sustainability projects. The ordinance was amended to update a referenced climate justice plan date and was approved to move forward to the full council. Procurement-related discussions touched on vendor selection for solar projects and adherence to local labor and energy efficiency standards in city contracts.