Farry defends cosponsoring Pennsylvania plate-reader expansion bill
Frank FarryPennsylvania state senator (R) running for reelection in District 6
Pennsylvania Sen. Frank Farry said Senate Bill 933 would be amended to include stricter data policies if it comes to a vote, and that law enforcement leaders and prosecutors call plate-reader systems a vital resource for investigations.
“The bill, if it ever has a vote, will be amended to include stricter data policies and protections for the public. Having spoken to numerous local law enforcement leaders and prosecutors over the last several years has shown the systems to be what they term as a vital resource for their investigations Additionally, anyone violating the intended use of the readers should face swift and substantial penalties for their crimes.”
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Should Flock-style license-plate surveillance networks exist?
Networked automated license-plate readers record passing vehicles and let agencies search or share travel records across locations. Candidates and officials disagree over whether to prohibit these networks, keep them with legal limits, or defend their use for investigations. This tracker records attributable positions on that choice, including proposals that would affect only public funding or data access.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Bucks County Beacon report on the Pennsylvania Senate District 6 race and Senate Bill 933, which would expand license plate readers on state roads and PennDOT infrastructure.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Farry responded by email after his Democratic opponent, Eileen Hartnett Albillar, called on him to drop his cosponsorship of Senate Bill 933, which would expand license plate readers on roadways and PennDOT-owned infrastructure.
After the quotation
The Bucks County Beacon reports that Farry did not specify what amendments or penalties would be added, and that he said plate surveillance helped track down suspects in a 2023 Bensalem killing and a 2025 Bensalem arson.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is whether networked license-plate reader systems such as Flock should exist and be used. Farry defends his cosponsorship of a bill to expand plate readers on state infrastructure, citing law enforcement leaders who call the systems a vital resource. He promises stricter data policies and penalties for misuse, but these accompany expansion rather than condition his support.
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- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Flock Safety
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“I believe flock cameras should be banned.”Read statement
Buddy Carter says license plate cameras help investigators but need privacy safeguards
“Technologies like license plate recognition cameras can provide valuable investigative tools, but they have also raised important questions about privacy and government oversight. As these systems become more common, it is important to balance public safety with appropriate safeguards that protect individual privacy.”Read statement
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- Farry defends cosponsoring Pennsylvania plate-reader expansion bill
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The Dispute Index. "Farry defends cosponsoring Pennsylvania plate-reader expansion bill". First published: 2026-09-29. Last updated: 2026-09-29. https://disputeindex.com/events/3171-pennsylvania-sen-frank-farry-said-senate-bill-933