The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) received four new surveillance cameras on 18 September 2026 that are capable of recording the licence‑plate numbers of passing vehicles. The equipment is described as being similar to the systems used by the private company Flock, which specialises in automatic licence‑plate recognition (ALPR) technology.
The acquisition brings the total number of ALPR devices in the SPVM’s inventory to an expanded level, as the police service continues to broaden its deployment of automated licence‑plate‑reading tools across the city. The four cameras are slated for installation at strategic locations identified by the SPVM, although specific sites have not been disclosed.
The move follows a period of public discussion about the use of ALPR technology in Montreal. Privacy advocates have raised concerns that the ability to capture and store vehicle registration data could lead to unwarranted surveillance of citizens. The SPVM has noted that the cameras are intended to support investigations, traffic enforcement and the detection of stolen or suspect vehicles.
City officials have indicated that the technology will operate under existing provincial and municipal regulations governing data retention and access. The SPVM has not released details about how long licence‑plate data will be stored or the protocols for sharing information with other law‑enforcement agencies.
The addition of the four cameras marks the latest step in the police service’s ongoing effort to modernise its operational tools. While the SPVM emphasizes the potential benefits for public safety, the broader conversation about balancing security objectives with privacy rights remains active among community groups and city policymakers.