Village Responds to Questions About New Surveillance System

New technology including police drones, cameras and license plate readers will be installed in Scarsdale this year as part of a five-year contract with Flock Safety to increase surveillance within our borders.

Last week we reported on the initiative which was added to the agenda at the opening of the April 8, 2025 meeting. Since no details of the agreement or the resolution were provided at the meeting, we wondered what the Village had agreed to – and what was in store for residents.

We had many questions: How would our data be shared? Who would have access to it? Could the drone images be used to track peoples' movements – at local demonstrations for instance? Would the cameras be used to stop speeders?

Our concerns were further heightened by recent news of the detainment and deportation of immigrants – some with documentation. Could this new surveillance program assist with these efforts?

And furthermore, why does sleepy Scarsdale, hardly a high-crime area, require $1.5 mm in additional technology?

We did an online search of the vendor and found that the American Civil Liberties Union recommends fighting the installation of Flock systems in your community.

They say, “While license plate readers have been around for some time, Flock is the first to create a nationwide mass-surveillance system out of its customers’ cameras. Working with police departments, neighborhood watches, and other private customers, Flock not only allows private camera owners to create their own “hot lists” that will generate alarms when listed plates are spotted, but also runs all plates against state police watchlists and the FBI’s primary criminal database, the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). Flock’s goal is to expand to “every city in the United States,” and its cameras are already in use in over 2,000 cities in at least 42 states.

Unlike a targeted ALPR camera system that is designed to take pictures of license plates, check the plates against local hot lists, and then flush the data if there’s no hit, Flock is building a giant camera network that records people’s comings and goings across the nation, and then makes that data available for search by any of its law enforcement customers. Such a system provides even small-town sheriffs access to a sweeping and powerful mass-surveillance tool, and allows big actors like federal agencies and large urban police departments to access the comings and goings of vehicles in even the smallest of towns. And every new customer that buys and installs the company’s cameras extends Flock’s network, contributing to the creation of a centralized mass surveillance system of Orwellian scope. Motorola Solutions, a competitor to Flock, is pursuing a similar business model.

If the police or government leaders are pushing for Flock or another centralized mass-surveillance ALPR system in your community, we urge you to oppose it, full stop.”

Concerned that Scarsdale residents would be caught by surprise, we reached out to the Mayor and Village Manager to get answers.

Here is the response from Mayor Justin Arest, Village Manager Alex Marshall and Police Chief Steven DelBene dated April 15, 2025.

Dear Ms. Wallenstein,

Thank you for reaching out and for taking the time to raise your concerns regarding the Village’s consideration of Flock Safety technology and the associated Drone as First Responder (DFR) pilot program. We value transparency and community dialogue, and we welcome this opportunity to provide further information and respond to your questions.

Before addressing your specific points, we want to offer some overarching context:

This initiative is fully contingent on receiving federal grant funding. No taxpayer dollars will be spent unless the grant is awarded. If not awarded, the contract can be terminated.

There is a built-in six-month trial period during which the Village of Scarsdale ("Village") can withdraw from the program for any reason and at no cost.

Flock Safety is an established technology company serving thousands of municipalities across the country. However, our focus is on the capabilities and public safety benefits of this type of technology—not any one vendor. Other companies offer similar tools, and countless police departments nationwide are turning to these resources to meet today’s public safety demands.

The Scarsdale Police Department ("SPD") already utilizes License Plate Reader (LPR) and live-view camera technology and has deployed drones in controlled circumstances. This program builds on existing tools and best practices while enhancing oversight and accountability.
SPD’s use of all technologies included in the agreement with Flock Safety will be governed by strict policies related to data access, retention, and privacy. SPD is currently working with the Village Attorney to enhance/develop existing/new policies where needed to ensure that all necessary protections are in place before the program is initiated.

Our goal is for the Village to continue to be a leader in modern, community-centered policing initiatives that maximize efficiency and officer safety while respecting the rights and expectations of residents.

Importantly, while Flock had not explicitly been named on previous agendas, neither were any of the multiple vendor options that were being considered. However, the enhancement of law enforcement technology has been publicly and transparently discussed on numerous occasions—including at the Police Chief’s swearing-in ceremony, during Board budget sessions, and in open discussions about securing grant funds for public safety.

Additionally, any residents who follow the Village's budgeting process would be aware of the Village’s long-standing commitment to advancing our Police Department's capabilities. The tentative 2025-26 budget includes two line items funded through Fund Balance specifically for public safety:

-$175,000 for the replacement of our decades-old Computer Aided Dispatch/Records Management System (CAD/RMS), and
-$200,000 for a Community Safety Technology Enhancement Project.

These investments clearly reflect the Village’s intent to make critical improvements in infrastructure and technology that support the specific needs, values, and safety of our community—ensuring SPD has the tools it needs to continue keeping Scarsdale safe.

Regional Context

Scarsdale is not alone in recognizing the value of this technology. Neighboring municipalities have already adopted extensive LPR and live-view systems:

-White Plains: 210 live view cameras, 10 LPRs (plus 150 more live view cameras available via other departments, they are also expanding further)
-Eastchester: 75 live view cameras, 21 LPRs (adding 5 more)
-Tuckahoe: 34 live view cameras, 12 LPRs
-Bronxville: 71 live view cameras, 12 LPRs
-Harrison: 22 live view cameras, 32 LPRs
-Irvington, Dobbs Ferry, and Pleasantville are all actively expanding their programs as well.

The following is intended to address your specific questions:

Why is stepped-up surveillance needed?

This is not a response to a sudden crime spike but rather a proactive approach to smart, preventive policing. Regional crime trends—including home burglaries, vehicle larcenies, and catalytic converter thefts—are increasingly driven by organized crews using advanced tactics and technology. To keep pace, we must do the same.

The intent is to augment—not expand—the work our officers already do. These tools allow SPD to respond more quickly, assess risk in real time, and build stronger cases when crimes occur. Most crimes in Scarsdale are committed by individuals entering the community, often professional criminals who are trained to evade more traditional policing tactics. LPR and live camera systems give officers a means to detect patterns, identify stolen vehicles or plates, and act quickly, even potentially before crimes occur.

In just the past year, SPD responded to hundreds of suspicious incident calls, foot pursuits, and high-risk situations. In multiple cases—from burglaries and potentially armed threats, to missing persons and pursuits—a drone with thermal imaging would have allowed officers to locate suspects more quickly and more safely, and in at least one instance, would have likely prevented a home invasion.

Why wasn’t the public more directly notified?

The April 8th work session agenda listed "Public Safety Equipment," a consistent and accurate descriptor. The presentation was livestreamed and remains publicly accessible to all residents. The resolution adopted later that evening remains contingent on grant funding and includes a six-month opt-out clause.|

The Board recognizes the importance of greater agenda specificity and will continue to incorporate that feedback moving forward. Moreover, the Village's tentative budget further reflects the public and transparent nature of this effort. Two line-items clearly indicate our long-standing focus on enhancing public safety: $175,000 allocated for the replacement of our CAD/RMS system and $200,000 for a Community Safety Technology Enhancement Project. The latter corresponds with the same initiative currently being considered for grant funding and was presented openly as part of our broader commitment to ensuring SPD has access to modern tools, technology, and best practices. The possibility of a larger project with grant funding was discussed as well. These items have been part of public budget discussions for some time and are consistent with the Village’s efforts to modernize SPD's capabilities in a thoughtful and visible manner.

What about the cost and funding?

In the existing arrangement, no taxpayer funds are intended to be used. The estimated $300,000 annual cost will be covered entirely by federal grant funds. It is important to clarify that while a lack of grant funding would eliminate any contractual obligation to proceed under the current agreement, the question of whether any portion of the program moves forward would fall to the Board of Trustees, in close consultation with the Village Manager and Police Chief. At that time, the Village would determine whether there are other appropriate sources of funding to support the initiative or any elements of it. Any such Board discussions at that time would be in a work session or board meeting with public input encouraged.

What about drone usage and privacy?

DFR drones are primarily deployed in response to emergency calls. They are not used for random surveillance. Flight paths are short and targeted, and all activity is logged and audited. SPD policies will ensure appropriate oversight and restrict drone usage to legitimate law enforcement needs. Thermal imaging allows quicker and safer searches during nighttime or in heavily wooded areas. Just one quick example from the past year was a 911 call reporting a suicidal male traveling on foot in the Weinberg Nature Center. A search of the area yielded no human activity. A drone might have led to a different result.

DFR programs can significantly enhance policing by arriving on scene in as little as 70 seconds—faster than patrol units—resolving 20–30% of calls without dispatching officers and helping reduce use of force through real-time aerial situational awareness.

All video and related data collected by the drone and LPR systems will be stored for no longer than 30 days unless linked to an ongoing investigation. No data would be accessible to third parties outside of SPD except through mutual agreements with law enforcement or by court order.

Will this be used for ordinary traffic enforcement, protests, or gatherings? Will this allow the Village to give tickets for red lights and speeding?

No, SPD will not use LPRs and drones for ordinary traffic enforcement or protest surveillance. In the case of large public gatherings, a drone may be deployed (as it has been in the past) to support crowd safety, but never to monitor or limit free expression. LPRs are specifically focused on identifying vehicles tied to criminal alerts or missing persons. This technology is not the same as red light or speed cameras. Towns and Villages in New York are also not permitted to implement either a red light or speed camera program without specific state legislation approving such use.

Could this lead to over-policing or dangerous pursuits?

No. Real-time data allows officers to respond even more strategically and safely, reducing unnecessary risk to officers and residents. Pursuits remain governed by SPD’s strict policies.

Is the contract signed? Can the Village withdraw?

Yes, the agreement was signed with Flock Safety and approved by the Board of Trustees, however the agreement remains contingent on the receipt of federal grant funds. Additionally, the agreement stipulates that the Village may withdraw at any time during the six-month trial period for any reason.

Where are the data policies, and why does the Mayor have authority in the resolution?

The Mayor’s role is limited only to administrative execution. All data policies will continue to be set by SPD and all policies will be finalized before activation, publicly shared, and audited regularly by the Board of Trustees. As a CALEA-accredited department, SPD meets the highest national standards for law enforcement integrity and transparency. There are only six departments in New York that meet this standard, less than one percent of police departments nationwide.

Transparency Measures

In addition to strong internal policies and audits, Flock will build two public transparency portals—one for LPRs and one for the DFR program—so that residents can see how the technology is being used. Public portals from other communities that successfully utilize Flock technology were presented during the work session on April 8.

Closing Thoughts

We recognize that the consideration and implementation of new technologies naturally raise important and valid questions. But we also believe that when paired with sound policies, stringent accountability measures, and clear guardrails, new technology can greatly improve officer safety, investigative abilities, and overall community outcomes.

Thank you again for your attention and commitment to public discourse. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any additional questions. We look forward to continuing this conversation with the community.

Warm regards,

Justin Arest, Mayor
Alex Marshall, Village Manager
Steven DelBene, Chief of Police

If you have questions about the new system, share them in comments section below, email us at scarsdalecomments@gmail.com or email the Mayor at Mayor@Scarsdale.com.