New Bedford Councilor Hosting Community Meeting After Heated Flock Camera Clash

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — Following the disruptions during last Thursday’s New Bedford City Council discussion of Flock Safety cameras in the city that led to the meeting being suspended, Councilor at Large Shane Burgo is looking to educate the public on how the council does its work.

Burgo is hosting a community meeting tonight from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Greater Southeastern Massachusetts Labor Council offices located at 560 Pleasant Street in New Bedford. He said in a Facebook post that the meeting is “to help residents better understand how our city council process works and how community concerns can be turned into action.”

He said he plans to “discuss the recent motions concerning Flock cameras, where those motions will be referred, how the committees work through them, and what happens next.”

What Led to Last Week's Suspended New Bedford City Council Meeting?

Those in attendance Thursday night loudly shouted down Councilor at Large Brian Gomes as he attempted to speak about the Flock cameras, and it got to the point where City Council President Ryan Pereira had to call for a 10-minute recess. After the recess, Pereira explained to the crowd that there would be no further outbursts tolerated; when they went right back at it a few moments later, the meeting was suspended.

READ MORE: Here's What Brian Gomes Was Going to Say in the Suspended City Council Meeting

It seemed the frustration came from attendees thinking the city council was going to outright ban the use of Flock cameras that night. However, the motions regarding the automated license plate readers had to be referred to committee before any such ordinance could be passed.

“A lot of the feedback I've been hearing about Thursday's meeting is basically people misunderstanding what was going to happen that night,” Burgo told WBSM. “Some people were under the impression we were going to be able to make a motion to terminate the contract and call it a day.”

Courtesy City of New Bedford

Understanding the New Bedford City Council Legislative Process

That’s why tonight’s meeting will also discuss “the broader legislative process, including why some actions take time to move through the council, the role of committees, and the difference between what requires council action and what the mayor can do administratively,” Burgo said.

“My goal is to make sure residents understand the process, know how they can participate, and know what to expect as these issues move forward,” he said. “I also hope this conversation helps create a more constructive path for community input and prevents misunderstandings that can lead to disruptions during future council meetings.”

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Pereira has scheduled last Thursday’s meeting to resume in a special session on Tuesday, August 25 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers. While the meeting will pick up the remainder of last week’s agenda, it will not resume discussion or voting on the Flock motions, since those items have now been tabled.

READ MORE: Council President Reschedules Meeting Following Anti-Flock Disruption

“Which means we'd have to make a motion to remove them from the table first to have them properly before us,” Burgo said. “Then, if that motion to remove them from the table passes, they're read into the record for us to make a motion to refer them to their respective committees, or in the case of (Ward 1 Councilor) Leo (Choquette)’s motion (to outright ban the cameras), we'd be referring that the mayor's office and (New Bedford Police) Chief (Jason) Thody.”

Maintaining Decorum in New Bedford and Moving Forward

Even if those attending city council meetings may not be fully aware of the procedures the council must follow, Burgo said they must maintain decorum if they wish to be taken seriously with their concerns. Shouting down a veteran councilor with 36 years of experience doesn’t help their cause.

“I also think it's important to remind them that just as they have a right to say how they feel, Brian Gomes has that same right,” Burgo said.

Courtesy City of New Bedford

For now, the Flock cameras have been turned off by New Bedford Police, but Burgo pointed to how some communities are also going a step further and covering the cameras with trash bags to ensure they’re not reactivated by Flock Safety.

READ MORE: Flock Cameras Shut Down in New Bedford Following Officer's Suspension and Audit

“That's something we all want more clarification on,” he said. “From what we've seen in other communities, you can ‘stop using them’ but they can still be accessed or viewed through Flock.”