In late 2023, while on patrol in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Officer **Noel Pichardo** noticed an unfamiliar, solar-powered camera mounted on a utility pole. His subsequent investigation revealed a widespread deployment of **Flock Safety** ALPRs across the city, a system he believed had been rejected by local authorities years prior. **Flock Safety** markets itself as the nation's largest fixed license plate reader network, capable of identifying vehicles not just by license plates but also by distinguishing features like bumper stickers and roof racks. This vast network processes billions of sightings monthly, with data often shared across jurisdictions, enabling investigators to reconstruct vehicle movements over vast distances. ### A History of Secrecy **Pichardo** recalled a 2021 presentation where **Flock Safety**'s capabilities were detailed. While presented as a tool for crime fighting, **Pichardo** foresaw the broader implications: a comprehensive record of citizens' movements. At that time, the proposal for a permanent installation was reportedly shelved due to cost. However, the cameras reappeared in September 2023. Records show Pawtucket proceeded with a two-year, $128,000 deployment of 20 cameras along major thoroughfares, including Newport Avenue, Main Street, Broadway, Smithfield Avenue, and West Avenue.  ### The Pilot and Public Outcry In 2021, **Flock Safety** offered Pawtucket a 60-day pilot program, installing 17 cameras. This rollout drew immediate criticism from the **ACLU of Rhode Island**, which accused the department of surreptitious installation without public input or city council notification. Pawtucket Chief of Police **Tina Goncalves** later apologized, pledging better communication. Despite local news reports in May 2023 indicating Pawtucket would not proceed with the installation, the city quietly moved forward months later. **Pichardo**'s internal inquiries yielded no clear answers, with officials citing the deployment as an “administrative prerogative” that bypassed public vote. ### A Whistleblower's Stand Driven by a strong sense of integrity and inspired by figures like **Frank Serpico** and **Edward Snowden**, **Pichardo** chose to speak out. He contacted a local reporter, leading to an article in the *Valley Breeze* on October 11, 2023, titled “Pawtucket Officer Has a Big Problem With New Cameras.” In the article, **Pichardo** labeled **Flock Safety** a “grave threat” to privacy, warning of its potential for abuse and the lack of transparency surrounding its implementation. His actions, he believes, ultimately led to the end of his law enforcement career, but positioned him at the forefront of a growing bipartisan backlash against the unchecked expansion of ALPR surveillance.