RHODE ISLAND STUDENTS TAKE CENTER STAGE IN DEBATE OVER FLOCK CAMERAS AT PONAGANSET HIGH SCHOOL
STATE HOUSE, RI — Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz and Senate Minority Whip Gordon Rogers joined students and educators at Ponaganset High School on October 23, 2026 for a student-led debate examining the complex issues surrounding automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and AI-driven Flock surveillance cameras.
The event highlighted the critical voices of Rhode Island youth on an issue rapidly moving to the forefront of state legislative agendas. Following the formal debate, Leader de la Cruz and Whip Rogers participated in an open discussion and Q&A session with the students and audience members to hear their perspectives on how these policies impact the community. There was a strong consensus among participants that while modern law enforcement tools are vital for solving crimes, robust legislative guardrails are essential to protect the civil liberties of ordinary citizens.
“Flock cameras raise serious questions about how we balance public safety with personal privacy, and those are exactly the kinds of questions lawmakers wrestle with every session,” said Leader de la Cruz. “Debate teaches students to research an issue, understand both sides, and make their case with evidence. Whip Rogers and I are glad to support that work and to give these students a real-world look at how policy gets made.”
“Seeing these students engage so deeply with such a complex, modern issue is incredibly reassuring,” said Whip Rogers. “The decisions we make regarding privacy and technology today will shape the world they inherit tomorrow. Hearing their structured arguments and insights provides valuable perspective as we navigate these regulatory boundaries at the State House.”
The full event remains available for on-demand streaming online via Capitol TV at:https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/show/12424