Has Providence spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on automated license plate reader cameras since 2023?

Since 2023, the City of Providence has already paid hundreds of thousands on a nearly half million dollar contract for license plate reader cameras.

According to public records, Providence signed a three-year contract with Flock Group, Inc. in October 2023 worth $480,000. Per the agreement, Providence would pay $2,500 per camera each year to all 60 cameras. In addition, Providence agreed to pay the installation fee for 50 cameras at $250 each, as well as $5,000 annually to utilize Flock’s software to access camera data. 

The contract allows for two, one-year options to renew.

According to an invoice from 2025, Providence paid Flock $322,500 for the first two years, plus an additional $800 for “camera replacement.”

According to Flock’s public safety portal, there are 60 total Flock cameras in Providence. Public records also indicate Rhode Island State Police operate Flock cameras in Providence.