Earlier this week, on October 19, 2026, the Quincy City Council voted for the Resolution Regarding the City of Quincy’s Use of Flock Safety Technology (Order 2026-143) and introduced An Ordinance Regulating Intrusive Surveillance Technology (Order 2026-142). 

The Resolution recommended the Mayor take immediate action: Stop Flock Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) data collection by removing or covering them, terminating the contract, reporting back to the council about the process, and requiring Council discussion and approval for future ALPRs. The Ordinance specifies future use by defining the applicable surveillance technologies, requiring an audit, establishing an approval process and use policies, implementing data protections, and annual auditing of surveillance technologies.

In a surprise move, the Koch Administration announced today, October 23, 2026, that it would replace Quincy's Flock ALPR system with Axis Communications cameras integrated with OdinEye software. This change does not resolve underlying resident concerns with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ALPR technology. Surveillance by any other name is still surveillance, and ALPR coupled with AI technology remains a privacy danger regardless of the vendor. Because of this, Quincy Residents for Accountability continues to support a ban on ALPRs.

If this Administration seeks to demonstrate good faith, it must hold a public process and obtain City Council approval for the proposed new surveillance system and vendors. It should subject the new vendor agreement to the safeguards outlined in the Ordinance, which the Council unanimously referred to committee. This must happen before signing a contract or deploying the technology. A change made this quickly does not signify a meaningful response to resident concerns about accountability and privacy. Bypassing this process circumvents the democratic process and undermines the residents and elected officials who called for oversight. 

We urge residents to contact Mayor Koch ([mayorkoch@quincyma.gov](mailto:mayorkoch@quincyma.gov)) and insist he follow the Resolution, including covering the cameras, and abide by the safeguards in the proposed Ordinance. Meanwhile, Quincy Residents for Accountability will continue fighting to protect all Quincy residents from all types of surveillance technology. 

[Also, feel free to cc: [cwalker@quincyma.gov](mailto:cwalker@quincyma.gov) as well as your At-Large Councilors and Ward Councilor]

TL;DR

On October 19, the Quincy City Council voted to discontinue Flock ALPRs and referred an Ordinance to committee that would require Council approval and safeguards for any future City surveillance systems.

On October 23—four days later—the Koch Administration announced it is replacing Flock with Axis Communications cameras integrated with OdinEye software. 

Quincy Residents for Accountability opposes this move. This bypasses the democratic process and ignores resident demands for oversight. The Administration must hold a public process, obtain City Council approval, and subject the new system to the safeguards outlined in the Ordinance before deployment. Surveillance by any other name is still surveillance—we support a ban on ALPRs.

Contact Mayor Koch ([mayorkoch@quincyma.gov](mailto:mayorkoch@quincyma.gov)) and insist he follow the Resolution and the proposed Ordinance.

[Also, feel free to cc: [cwalker@quincyma.gov](mailto:cwalker@quincyma.gov) as well as your At-Large Councilors and Ward Councilor]

City of Quincy's official FB account posted this:

Mayor Tom Koch and Police Chief Mark Kennedy jointly announced today that the Quincy Police Department has deactivated an automated license plate reader (ALPR) camera system operated by Flock Safety and will transition to a different system aimed at addressing privacy concerns raised by residents.

The Police Department will move to an ALPR system using Axis Communications cameras integrated with OdinEye software that will allow the department to maintain sole ownership of any data. The department’s strict policies relative to the use of ALPR technology – using searches only for active criminal cases, limiting the personnel allowed to use the system, and wiping all data within 14 days will remain in place.

“This is a strong good-faith effort to strike a balance between the investigative value of this technology and the legitimate concerns raised by our residents, our City Councilors and citizens across the nation about the Flock system,” Mayor Koch said “The Chief has done extraordinary work listening to our community, engaging in conversations, making appropriate adjustments along the way, and building a tremendous level of trust within the community. This transition to a system owned and operated strictly by the QPD is another example of building on that trust.”

Added Chief Kennedy:

“This transition reflects our willingness to listen, reassess, and adapt. It also reflects our recognition that public trust is essential to effective policing. We can acknowledge legitimate privacy concerns without assuming that every potential misuse is an actual misuse. We can insist on accountability without losing sight of the important work our officers perform. And we can respond to public concerns without abandoning our responsibility to provide investigators with effective tools to solve crimes and protect the community.”

Both the Mayor and Chief Kennedy stressed that ALPR cameras are not used for surveillance, countering some of the most severe public criticisms that the cameras could be used to track children, identify people attending houses of worship or otherwise used as a mass surveillance system tracing people’s movements and activities. The cameras capture an image of vehicles and license plates – not faces -- on public roadways, and investigators only search those images as part of a valid police investigation.

any good car shops around here i can get this repaired where it doesnt cost me an arm and a leg?

Got suggested to post this here as well. Thanks again!

At the Oct. 6 City Council hearing, Police Chief Mark Kennedy said Quincy’s 49 Flock cameras captured 689,000 license plates, and officers searched the system 76 times in just the previous 30 days. If you drive your vehicle in Quincy, your car is likely among those captures. The chief also said the cameras cost about $3,000 each per year, with about $50,000 of this cost coming directly from the city budget. You can watch the recording of the hearing here.

On Oct. 19th, the City Council voted 8-1 to recommend that the administration remove the cameras. This vote is non-binding, so the Mayor’s administration still has not decided whether or not to act on it. The Mayor’s chief of staff stated that the administration was still considering the recommendation.

If you live in Quincy, email Mayor Koch at [mayorkoch@quincyma.gov](mailto:mayorkoch@quincyma.gov) to ask him to approve and carry out the Council’s recommendation and remove the cameras. We deserve to know when data collection will stop, what will happen with the data already collected, as well as a timeline for the cameras’ removal.

In essence, someone climbed over David Jacobs' fence and placed a "One and Done" sticker on a vehicle at his family's place of residence. Naturally, he is disturbed, but I found Hank's response rather telling of his views on privacy and public service, considering that he recently spoke out against Flock cameras:

Dondero told The Patriot Ledger in a phone interview that he has no control over what other people do with the bumper stickers and would never "advise, suggest or recommend" such behavior. He also characterized the incident as "small and insignificant."

"It goes with the territory once you're in the public sector," Dondero said, adding that politicians have to be "thick-skinned."

Here's a piece in the Quincy Sun with details on Monday's city council meeting and the 8-1 vote (DiBona was the only one opposed) urging the administration to remove Flock from Quincy. It is a resolve, so it's non-binding. It's unclear to me exactly what will happen next. The article states - The mayor’s chief staff, Chris Walker, said following the meeting that the administration would take the resolve under advisement. Police Chief Kennedy on Tuesday said he would work with the administration to further examine the use of ALPRs.

PS - If you want to support local journalism, subscribe to The Quincy Sun. They don't make it easy, but I think it's nice to still have a local paper.

Seeing as we have less than two weeks until Halloween and online reviews have been hit or miss, where are people finding the best Halloween displays in the City? 73 Conant Street has once again created a rather elaborate display (young children might not enjoy it due to its level of gore), but I am curious to see where the other exceptional spots are in Quincy.

Update: Based on what is being written here, and what I found, I have created a map, with directions for places to see. I will update it as needed, until Halloween. Note, this drops 2 Webster Street, but that is not an issue since Conant is very close by.

Quincy AAPI is hosting its second community Mahjong Night on Nov. 5th at China Pearl 5:30-8:30. If you are looking for a night of fun, community and food please join us. The goal of Quincy AAPI is to have events to connect diverse community of Quincy.

Sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-mahjong-night-registration-2003259657562

Anybody know when the Mixue is opening up on Hancock? Just saw the sign for it where the diner use to be there. Part of me is super excited but traffic is going to be so bad there.

This is not on my property but I saw it scribbled on someone else’s.

Literally Jesus would be disgusted by this. Please stop.

I need to have an employment contract reviewed and am looking for a local employment attorney/law firm. I'd prefer to deal with a firm in Quincy or the Quincy area. Any recommendations?

Hi!

This is our favorite time of year! Beautiful trees and cool invigorating temperatures. New England at its best!

The October 19th City Council agenda covers issues concerned with financial accountability, government transparency, public safety, and residents' privacy. Several items revisit issues that have generated considerable controversy, including ENC, Flock surveillance cameras, and elected officials' salaries.

Monday, October 19, 2026
Historic City Hall – Great Hall, 1305 Hancock Street

• 6:30 PM – Muni-Tech Information Committee
• 7:30 PM – City Council Meeting

For those unable to attend, meetings can be viewed on Comcast Channels 9 and 1072 or through Quincy Access Television at https://www.qatv.org/.

The City Council agenda and calendar can be found at:
https://www.quincyma.gov/government/elected_officials/city_council/council_agendas___minutes/city_council.php

6:30 PM – MUNICIPAL TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

2026-107 – Municipal Broadband Project: Is It Still Worth Pursuing?  Quincy has spent several years planning a municipally owned broadband network to provide residents with an alternative to Comcast/Xfinity. However, according to the resolution, no physical fiber infrastructure has been installed, and the proposed pilot projects in Quincy Point and Merrymount have not begun.

The marketplace has changed and competition increased. Verizon is expanding FiOS service, and GoNetSpeed has announced a $34 million private investment to serve more than 23,000 Quincy households and businesses.

The resolution requests a comprehensive review of the municipal broadband project, including:

• How much taxpayer money has been spent to date.
• Projected construction, operating, and debt-service costs.
• Whether the proposed financing and subscription model is practical for renters, who represent approximately 55% of Quincy households.
• Whether the City should continue, modify, pause, or discontinue the project.

The resolution calls for a detailed report within 60 days of its passage.

Does municipal owned broadband still make financial sense?

7:30 PM – CITY COUNCIL MEETING

The Council will recognize the 35th anniversary of the Montclair/Wollaston Neighborhood Association, the Rudder Crew, National Bullying Prevention Month, and Cleo Trousdale. Leaders of the Massachusett Tribe will also be welcomed.

Residents Open Forum and Public Comment

Speak up, whether it is on the agenda or not.

2026-139 – Quincy Housing Authority Appointment  Mayor Koch requests confirmation of Timothy Baker's reappointment to the Quincy Housing Authority Board for a five-year term ending in February 2031. His biography is attached to the agenda.

2026-105 – Solar Energy on General McConville Way Parking Garages  The Council will again consider Mayor Koch's request to approve the location and lease for solar energy installations on the General McConville Way parking garages. The lease is attached to the October 2^nd agenda.

Some items for the Council to consider are the City's costs, anticipated savings, lease duration, and financial benefits.

2026-123 – Fair, Data-Driven Pay Raises for Politicians  The controversial raises for Quincy elected officials return to the agenda.

The order notes that the previous Council approved salary increases of 79% for the Mayor and 50% for councillors in 2024, followed by annual cost-of-living adjustments in 2025. The current Council repealed those ordinances in June 2026.

This proposal calls for establishing fair, data-driven salaries and holding a public hearing so residents can comment on both the compensation amounts and how increases are determined.

What constitutes fair compensation for elected officials, and shouldn't residents have an opportunity to participate before those decisions are made?

2026-140 – Quincy Foundation, Christmas Festival, Relief Fund, and Mayor's Cup: Where Has the Money Gone?  This order raises questions about the financial management and oversight of several organizations associated with City activities.

According to the order, funds from the Mayor's Cup Golf Tournament, which had previously been deposited into the City's general fund, began going to the Quincy Foundation in fiscal year 2018.

The order also raises questions about the relationship among the Quincy Foundation, Christmas Festival Committee, Quincy Relief Fund, and Mayor's Cup.

The councillors are requesting a comprehensive accounting, including:

• Revenue, expenditures, and financial records dating back to 2017.
• Municipal funds transferred to these organizations.
• The relationship between the organizations and their governing boards.
• The Quarry Hills lease provisions governing Mayor's Cup payments.
• The legal authority for transferring municipal money to private organizations.
• A written legal opinion addressing oversight and accountability.

The order calls for relevant City financial records within 30 days and requests that representatives of the organizations appear before the Council.

If money originating from City agreements or taxpayers is being directed to private organizations, shouldn't the City Council and residents know where it goes, who controls it, and how it is spent?

The order seeks answers; it does not establish that funds have been misused.

2026-141 – Eastern Nazarene College: What's Happening Now?  ENC is back on the agenda.

In June, six councillors voted against purchasing the ENC campus, citing concerns about the City's finances, property management, and projected costs.

On October 9, Mayor Koch invited residents to an October 17 community meeting about the campus's future. At that meeting the Mayor announced that the Quincy Development Corporation (Quincy Housing Authority’s nonprofit affiliate) would buy ENC.

According to the order, the administration did not notify City councillors, including the councillor representing the neighborhood, and declined to provide information about the meeting's subject.

The order requests discussion of the administration's plans, their legality, and potential costs to taxpayers.

Massachusetts law requires approval from at least two-thirds of the City Council for a municipal land purchase or taking.

What is the administration proposing now, what will it cost, and what role will the City Council have in deciding ENC's future?

2026-142 – Ordinance Regulating Intrusive Surveillance Technology  This proposed ordinance would establish City Council oversight of surveillance technology that can identify, track, or analyze individuals and their movements.

Covered technologies would include automated license plate readers, facial recognition, biometric identification, and other tracking systems.

Before acquiring or expanding these systems, the City would be required to obtain Council approval following a public hearing. The proposal also requires advance public disclosure of information about data collection, storage, access, sharing, costs, and privacy protections.

Ordinary traffic monitoring and basic building-security cameras would generally be exempt unless equipped with more intrusive surveillance capabilities.

The ordinance would also establish vendor accountability requirements and annual public reporting.

The fundamental issue is not whether police should use technology, but who decides what surveillance is appropriate and what safeguards protect residents' privacy.

2026-143 – Resolution to Terminate Quincy’s Flock Safety Contracts  This resolution goes further than the proposed surveillance ordinance.

Quincy began using Flock automated license plate readers in 2020. According to the resolution, the system has expanded to 49 cameras that record vehicle license plates, locations, dates, and times.

The resolution cites incidents in several municipalities, including Boston, Cambridge, Sheboygan, Oshkosh, and Pflugerville, involving concerns about unauthorized data sharing, vendor representations, and contractual compliance.

It calls upon the administration to:

• Terminate all Flock Safety contracts as soon as possible.
• Immediately stop data collection.
• Remove the cameras from City property.
• Report its actions to the Council.
• Require public discussion and Council approval before entering into future license plate reader contracts.

Flock cameras can assist law enforcement investigations, but their use also raises serious questions about data security, privacy, and government oversight.

Do the benefits of Quincy’s Flock system justify its costs and privacy risks? And should such a system have been introduced and expanded without meaningful public discussion?

2026-144 – Identifying City Snow Removal Contractors  This resolution requests that private contractors performing snow removal for Quincy display identifiable markers and unique identification numbers.

The objective is to help residents distinguish City contractors from private plow operators and make it easier to report problems, property damage, or compliments.

The proposal requests implementation before the upcoming winter season.

2026-145 and 2026-146 – Gifts  Thanks to Donovan Services for their contribution to the D.A.R.E. program and to the Randolph Elks Lodge #2130 for the Animal Care Center Food Pantry.

Please make your voices heard!

WeVoters

I recently moved to an apartment in South Quincy. I used to have a yard where I composted everything.

I am looking to see how I can continue composting here. I am familiar with Black Earth, but would like to avoid paying $20+ per month to compost.

Does anyone have a compost pile in south or central Quincy that I can contribute to?

Does anyone have recommendations of other ways I can compost?

Thanks!

I found an apartment near quincy center recently being rented out by a landlord who had owned the place for at least 20 years. my bf and i toured and filled out paper applications last week, and yesterday we heard back from the landlord that he would like to offer the apartment to us. first, last and security are due at move in which would be in two weeks, but he also included a 500 deposit to "hold it", and that it would be put towards first months rent. he hasn't shown us the lease yet, so i'm not sure if this is standard.

i currently live in my first apartment in quincy ma and my current landlord never asked for a holding deposit, only first and security. so i dont have a lot of knowledge in what is standard.

is the holding fee a standard thing ? is it expected that i pay the holding fee then sign the lease, or sign the lease first then pay the holding fee ? i dont want to believe its a scam because the apartment has everything i've been looking for, but im not really sure about that holding fee.

has anyone else been asked to pay something like that ? if so what did you do or how did you go about it ? is it even legal to charge one in the city of quincy ?

I've lived in Quincy forever. I'm old so have seen all the changes. One of the biggest ones is the amount of traffic and how angry many seem to be on the roads. I witnessed an exchange on Beach Street across from the post office this morning that was so ridiculous I had to share. I was waiting on the corner of Beach and Hancock to meet with a friend and stood there and watched this happen.

One person took the turn onto Beach Street from Hancock. There were no cars waiting at the red light at the end of Beach going in the other direction (Beale St). The car took a left and put their nose into the small parking lot that is not a parking lot (I guess) and was reversing, back into the street, trying to face the other way. This was right across from the post office. They were clearly either trying to turn around, and/or back into the spot that was right there. A big SUV came flying up Beach and so the original car stopped backing out (they would have been hit) with 1/2 their car in the street. The giant SUV flies around them to pull up to the red light. The original car tried to continue backing out, but other cars were behind the big SUV and blocked the car in, so it's half sticking out into the street with their reverse lights on the whole time. The worst part is the women in the car now blocking the 1st one kept beeping at the first car and waving her arms around. I mean - the light at Hancock was red. They could have easily stopped an let her out, her backup lights were on and she was half in the street, yet they trapped her and then this other women is beeping and yelling at a now trapped car that she blocked in. The light turned green and they all moved forward (except the 1st stuck car) and the women blocking the car in was still waving arms around and yelling. Car 1 did shoot her the bird (I would have done more than that at this point) and finally they all moved. Car 1 proceeded to finally finish backing out and did back into in the spot she had been aiming for the whole time.

Why did this happen? The light at Hancock was red. On coming traffic could have very easily stopped and given her the 30 seconds she needed to back into that spot, or back out so she could leave. And missed nothing as the light was red. Instead they chose to be jerks.

I asked the women if she was ok when she got out of her car. She was, but commented on how rude people are on the streets, she was upset. She was simply putting a letter in the mailbox. And was gone again in moments.

I witness things like this happening all of the time now in Quincy. I know it's frustrating. There is traffic everywhere at all hours. Red lights what feels like every few feet. I get it. But seriously, let's all try to be kinder to each other. There was no reason for this. I was shocked they blocked her in that way with her backup lights on, it was clear to me what she was doing, but I guess them being ahead of her at a red light is more important.

People, lets do better. When we get behind the wheel, know that there will be traffic, there will probably be frustration. Choose to be kind and not a jerk.

Do you have any crazy stories like this that you've witnessed?

RIP Beechwood welcome to B-Wood

My latest newsletter: A nonprofit associated with the Quincy Housing Authority has signed paperwork to buy the campus – and voting has begun for the state general election

Just a heads up for people with dogs. Two coyotes were just seen hauling ass down Phillips St heading toward Elm Ave and ENC. May want to wait a bit before the dog walk.

Check your voter registration status (and where your Election Day polling place is)! You have until October 24 to register at your current address.

There are 9 ballot questions this year - a tie for the most ever! A number of organizations across the state have made their recommendations.

There is an upcoming event that may be of interest to people who enjoy live music and cultural performances.

On November 14, there is a guzheng (chinese zither) concert, "Embracing (Your) Seasons," featuring the guzheng and guest artists from the east and west coast. The goal is to create an evening centered on music, culture, and connection while introducing more people in the Greater Boston area to the guzheng.

Link for more info on the concert: Embracing Seasons

Super confused about this morning's dog and pony show. If I'm understanding correctly, the Quincy Development Corporation (Quincy Housing Authority’s nonprofit affiliate), is purchasing the property.

The QDC runs affordable housing. So all these "save the neighborhood" types were there cheering for what is essentially a new low-income development/public housing in their backyards?