Salem Ends Flock License-Plate-Reader Contract With Police
The City of Salem announced Thursday it will not renew its contract with Flock Safety and will remove the automatic license plate readers installed around the city, even as officials pivot toward a busy weekend welcoming the tall ship Pride of Baltimore II.
TOWN HALL
Mayor Dominick Pangallo's administration confirmed the Salem Police Department's contract with Flock Safety will not be renewed, and the automatic license plate readers ("ALPRs") currently installed around the city will be removed, according to the town's News Flash. The announcement did not detail a replacement system, though the city indicated other public safety surveillance measures remain in place, a story also covered by Salem Patch.
Separately, the city outlined a slate of roadway, water, sewer, and drainage improvement projects planned across Salem through the summer and into fall, per the News Flash. Officials also confirmed final preparations are underway for the Pride of Baltimore II's arrival, which will include a public welcome, a Seaside Soirée fundraiser, and events tied to the Salem 400+ Heritage Days parade and festival.
The city's "Feeling Fresh" Hygiene Product Drive has also returned, with organizers encouraging residents to donate new, unopened personal care products by August 12 to support local students ahead of the back-to-school season.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Seaside Soirée aboard the Pride of Baltimore II, an exclusive cocktail fundraiser benefiting Salem400+ and Heritage Days programming, is set for July 31 and will kick off the broader Heritage Days celebration, according to the town's News Flash. The tall ship's public welcome and related festivities lead into the Salem 400+ Heritage Days Parade and Festival on August 1.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Salem To End Flock Camera Pact, Will Keep Public Safety Surveillance" — Salem Patch reports Mayor Pangallo announced the decision late Thursday afternoon not to renew the city's contract with the license-plate-reader vendor (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem/salem-end-flock-camera-pact-will-keep-public-safety-surveillance).
"Salem Maps Out Summer Road, Water And Sewer Work Across City" — Per Salem Patch, the plan includes night water shutdowns, August paving, and sidewalk repairs as part of the city's broader summer and fall infrastructure push, a story the town's News Flash also covered today (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem/salem-maps-out-summer-road-water-and-sewer-work-across-city).
"North Shore 8th Grade Teacher From NH Charged With Raping Student: Essex DA" — According to Salem Patch, the Essex County District Attorney's office said a former North Shore middle school teacher from Hudson, New Hampshire, faces charges including rape of a child (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem/north-shore-8th-grade-teacher-nh-charged-raping-student-essex-da).
"Salem Residents To Ride For A Cure At Pan-Mass Challenge" — Salem Patch notes the annual cycling fundraiser will draw more than 6,000 riders and 4,000 volunteers on August 1-2, with Salem residents among the participants (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem/salem-residents-ride-cure-pan-mass-challenge).
"Salem Seeks Hygiene Donations Ahead Of 2026 Back To School Fair" — Salem Patch reports the Salem Children's Alliance is collecting new personal care items for students at the city's Back to School Fair, with donations due by August 12, a drive also detailed in today's News Flash (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem/salem-seeks-hygiene-donations-ahead-2026-back-school-fair).
COMING UP
The Seaside Soirée fundraiser aboard the Pride of Baltimore II takes place July 31, kicking off Salem 400+ Heritage Days, which continues through August 9 with a parade and festival on August 1. The Pan-Mass Challenge rolls through the region August 1-2. Donations for the "Feeling Fresh" Hygiene Product Drive are due by August 12.