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Page 4 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026 City Council Tackles Towing Permit, Flock Cameras, Traffic Enforcement and Tree Preservation By Anthony Boyd T he City Council addressed concerns surrounding traffi c enforcement, automated license plate readers, a proposed local towing business, and tree preservation during its Sept. 14 meeting, with several issues drawing extended discussion from councillors and residents. The meeting opened with a lengthy public comment period, during which residents spoke on the proposed special permit for 128 Towing and Recovery as well as the city’s use of Flock automated license plate reader technology. Several residents spoke in support of 128 Towing, describing the company as a local resource and emphasizing its involvement in the community. Kevin Fuentes said the company’s services help residents, particularly when vehicles need to be removed from roadways or during winter weather. “I think that there would be a good benefi t to us all,” Fuentes said in support of the company. Another resident also spoke in support of the business, recounting an experience in which 128 Towing responded when assistance was needed getting a vehicle home. The owners of 128 Towing also addressed the council, saying the permitting process had been diffi cult to navigate as first-time business owners. The owner said the couple had built their lives in Revere and asked that they not be punished for what they described as a gap in the city’s process for guiding new businesses. The issue later came before the council for a fi nal vote. Despite the support expressed during public comment, the council ultimately denied the special permit. The Zoning Subcommittee had issued an unfavorable recommendation, and the full council voted against granting the requested relief, with one councillor recused. The special permit was therefore denied. The decision came as councillors continued to debate how the city handles prospective businesses seeking zoning relief or other approvals. Later in the meeting, Ward 5 Councillor Angela GuarinoSawaya proposed establishing a policy that would provide prospective new businesses with the name and contact information of the ward councillor representing the location during the initial application process. Councillor Guarino-Sawaya said the goal is to provide applicants with additional guidance early in the process, particularly when a proposed business requires a special permit or other City Council approval — connecting applicants with their ward councillor could help them understand neighborhood concerns and the council process before investing signifi cant time and money. A councillor raised concerns that the proposed policy could create an additional burden for people attempting to open businesses in Revere. The council also spent signifi cant time discussing Flock cameras, formally known as automated license plate readers, or ALPRs. The Revere police chief told councillors that the technology has been used in investigations involving shootings, sexual assaults, robberies, stolen vehicles, hitand-runs and other off enses. The chief said the technology has provided information that has assisted police investigations. Residents questioned the technology’s oversight and potential for misuse. Joe McHugh said he supports the police but raised concerns about the amount of information collected by the cameras and how searchable license plate data could potentially be used. McHugh said the cameras capture license plates of vehicles traveling through the city even when the drivers are not suspected of a crime. He questioned who has access to the information, how it can be searched and how long the data is retained. “We really have to understand the downsides of this technology,” McHugh said. McHugh also questioned whether the searchable information could create a record of residents’ movements. Councillors also questioned how Revere’s system connects with Flock systems operated by other law enforcement agencies. Police Chief Lavita explained that another department can access Revere’s data when Revere permits that access. He also acknowledged broader public concerns about how ALPR information is stored, who can access it and the possibility of misuse. “I do think there is, you know, some public concern about what it actually does,” the chief said, pointing to questions surrounding how the information is stored, who has access and potential misuse. According to Chief Lavita, offi cers conducting searches must enter a reason for the query and a case number, creating a record documenting who conducted the search, when it occurred and why. The department retains ALPR data for 30 days, according to the chief. He also said Revere shares information with some law enforcement agencies but that ICE does not have access to the department’s data and that searches cannot be conducted for immigration-enforcement purposes. Chief Lavita defended the technology as a tool that can help investigators identify vehicles connected to criminal activity while increasing effi ciency. Traffi c enforcement was another major topic. Chief Lavita reported that Revere police issued 1,886 traffi c citations from January through August 2026, already exceeding the department’s total number of citations for all of 2025. She said the department currently has two full-time offi cers assigned to the Traffi c Division — one sergeant and one patrol offi cer — while additional traffic enforcement is conducted by patrol units. Chief Lavita identifi ed Broadway, Squire Road, Route 107, Bennington Street and Shirley Avenue among the locations receiving signifi cant enforcement activity. The department also works with Massachusetts State Police and Boston Police on heavy-truck enforcement. The department said its enforcement strategy is driven by crash data, 311 complaints, calls from residents, informaCITY COUNCIL | SEE Page 10 Monogram D4 Double siding Cedar impression half rounds Harvey Vinyl Replacement Windows Custom Aluminum Trim work Windows & Doors Top quality Vinyl Siding! •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Fully Licensed •Fully Insured Everett Aluminum Supplies Celebrating 67 Years in Business Since 1958! ws

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