‘It’s a privacy concern’: Anastasia E. Lennon discusses Flock cameras in New Bedford

Anastasia E. Lennon, who covers New Bedford, broke the news that Officer Emily Pacheco was placed on leave after an ex-girlfriend accused her of using the automatic license plate reader technology to track her movements. Her reporting prompted the city to suspend its Flock program pending further review. Pacheco has denied the allegations. “If you’re a law-abiding citizen, and you’re not doing anything wrong, you will have privacy concerns and ask, ‘Why?’” Lennon said of the response she has heard from residents. “Why am I being entered into a database and particularly a database that, up until mid- or late 2025, could be accessed in New Bedford by agencies across the country? So it’s a privacy concern people are having.” The controversy in New Bedford was quickly followed by municipalities across the region reexamining their own Flock policies, with some voting to reject contracts or suspend their programs. Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee also ordered a pause on the implementation of any new Flock cameras by the Rhode Island State Police. New Bedford Police Chief Jason Thody announced Wednesday that his department would continue to audit the city’s Flock system and “thoroughly and expeditiously” investigate all allegations of misuse. The announcement came after Lennon filed several additional records requests with the department. “I just know that in my previous conversations with the chief before this came to light, he takes this seriously,” Lennon said during the show, which was taped before Thody’s announcement. “He said that it could result in termination, and so we have to wait and see,” she added. “I have several questions about this case, but also there’s the suspension of the system and the undisclosed number of officers they say they’re now investigating.” Later in the show, Kim and Eli discussed the “stories we wish we wrote,” including: Kim’s pick RI casino operator Bally’s sees stock price plunge nearly 30% after solvency warning by Eli Sherman, 12 News Eli’s pick $10 coffee gains popularity in RI even as budgets tighten by Gail Campia, The Providence Journal Discovery of unknown sailor from War of 1812 to be celebrated this weekend by Emma Grunwald, The Westerly Sun “Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of The Boston Globe.