The Easton Town Council recently debated potential regulations and restrictions regarding automated Flock license plate readers. The ongoing discussion focuses heavily on the balance between police investigative utility and private property privacy concerns.  Easton Police Chief Alan Lowrey strongly defended the cameras as a “great investigative tool.” He noted that the technology has been critical within the last couple of years in solving several serious local crimes, including an armed home invasion, a bank robbery, finding a missing person and more. Lowrey pointed out that data queries must go through a vendor process, adding a prudent layer of oversight.  Rather than an outright ban, the council discussed several guardrails for private property readers, including requiring visible signage where readers operate, restricting cameras from being aimed at neighboring private yards or public municipal rights-of-way without explicit permission,  and implementing limitations on how long data and images can be legally retained.  The council plans to continue looking into ways to alter local restrictions and general usage policies regarding Flock technology.

The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration announced an updated Maryland Rookie Driver curriculum designed to provide new drivers with clearer, more engaging and up-to-date safety information as they prepare to become licensed drivers.  The curriculum is the first comprehensive update since 2017 and includes new information on work zone safety, updated content on technology in today’s modern vehicles and new safety videos designed to enhance classroom instruction. The MVA developed and refined the curriculum with input from safety advocates as well as driving schools across Maryland to ensure materials meet the needs of instructors and new drivers. Several driving schools participated in a pilot program earlier this year.  For more information, visit mva.maryland.gov.