It was a lively night in the New Bedford City Council Chambers Thursday as dozens of residents expressed their frustrations with the police department’s use of automated license plate readers.

 

The New Bedford Police Department put a temporary pause on its Flock camera system after an audit resulted in “internal investigations” and an officer being placed on paid administrative leave.

The council planned to address the city’s use of the controversial cameras, but residents became so rowdy that the issue was tabled and the rest of the meeting was suspended.

 

The disruption that ended the meeting occurred when councilman Brian Gomes voiced his opinions on the cameras.

 

“I’m a proponent of the cameras, but what I’m not a proponent of is the use of the cameras in a way that is unconstitutional and against people’s rights,” Gomes said. “You give me a guarantee that these cameras will not be messed with in unjustified ways, and I’m OK with it.”

 

Gomes was unable to continue speaking as the residents began loudly booing him, prompting New Bedford City Council President Ryan Pereira for a brief recess.