The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal announced Friday that it has purchased four new cameras capable of automatically reading the license‑plate numbers of vehicles traveling on city streets. The equipment, described as similar to the systems used by the private firm Flock, is intended to capture plate information from passing traffic.
The cameras operate by scanning each vehicle as it moves past, recording the alphanumeric identifier displayed on the license plate. The collected data can be stored and accessed by police for investigative purposes, according to the police service. The four units were added to the department’s existing technology roster during a procurement process completed on September 18, 2026.
The acquisition arrives amid a broader discussion in Montreal about the role of surveillance tools in public safety. Community groups and civil‑rights organizations have previously raised questions about the balance between security benefits and privacy concerns associated with widespread camera use. City officials have indicated that the new devices will be integrated into ongoing monitoring efforts, but they have not disclosed the specific locations where the cameras will be installed.
The purchase was recorded at 15:20:36 GMT on Friday, September 18, 2026, and the police service confirmed that the four cameras will join other surveillance assets already deployed across the municipality. No additional details regarding cost, installation schedule, or operational guidelines were released at the time of the announcement.
As Montreal continues to evaluate the expansion of its surveillance infrastructure, the addition of these license‑plate‑reading cameras adds another layer to the conversation about how law‑enforcement technology is used in the city. The SPVM has indicated that the equipment will support its investigative capabilities while acknowledging the ongoing public dialogue surrounding surveillance practices.