Providence, RI – Today Providence City Council President Rachel Miller (Ward 13) introduced an ordinance to eliminate what sponsors call a favorite, unsanctioned tool of Immigration and Customs Enforcement – automated license plate readers.
The proposed ordinance would prohibit the City from either using ALPR technology in the future or entering into contracts with companies that use similar vehicle-location technologies. Ordinance sponsors say ALPRs infringe on civil liberties, and they cannot ignore rampant reports of misuse of these technologies by agencies like ICE to surveil and harass residents without their knowledge or consent.
As reported this week in the Providence Eye, this spring, Rhode Island College students studying privacy rights reviewed audits of data collected by automated license plate readers (ALPR) on RIC’s campus and in the City of Providence. Ordinance co-sponsor Councilor Sue AnderBois (Ward 3) said their findings were disturbing.
“Flock and other license plate reader technologies are not keeping us safer. Data from Providence’s Flock cameras has been accessed millions of times — including by many organizations that do not have the required formal sharing agreements with the Providence Police Department,” said Councilor AnderBois. “This type of surveillance data is being weaponized across the country, and constant monitoring is an invasion of our civil liberties. Big corporations should not be allowed access to this type of data, and we will no longer permit monitoring people driving in and through Providence in this way.”
The ordinance was referred to committee.
Councilors also passed a resolution that will support the local economy by encouraging the City Treasurer to deposit City funds in banks that provide the best services and products whenever possible. This initial partnership will yield a higher rate on CDs exclusive to Providence residents who open or have savings accounts with the participating banks.
“We’re incentivizing local banks to invest further in our community and offering families opportunities to consider putting some dollars into an interest-bearing savings account,” said Councilwoman Shelley Peterson (Ward 14). “It’s a win-win for both Providence residents and Providence businesses.”
Councilors also voted for the first time on a pedestrian safety measure that sponsors say is overdue.
The proposed ordinance would prohibit parking, stopping, or standing a vehicle within 20 feet of a marked crosswalk at an intersection and establish a $100 penalty for violations, allowing Providence parking enforcement officers to enforce crosswalk daylighting requirements through the municipal parking code.
The ordinance requires second passage before becoming law.
Finally, councilors unanimously passed a resolution honoring the Providence Grays’ historic contributions to baseball, including their 1884 championship, notable players, and Providence’s broader baseball legacy. The baseball team’s legacy and achievements will be celebrated at an upcoming plaque installation and ceremony.
The next full City Council meeting will be held on November 5, 2026.
