The Rhode Island ACLU contends the City of Providence is moving too quickly in implementing an integrated surveillance center, adding that without additional safeguards, the system poses an Orwellian threat. In a letter to Mayor Brett Smiley and Police Chief Oscar Perez, the civil liberties group calls on city officials to enact a municipal ordinance protecting privacy rights. The RTCC integrates footage from drones, plate readers and privately owned camera feeds. In a news release marking the launch of the new center, the Providence officials said, “Privacy is a top priority in the design and operation of the RTCC, which complies with all local, state and federal laws. Privacy is a top priority for the Providence Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center.