Curley: Public safety, privacy can coexist to protect children
Curley: Public safety, privacy can coexist to protect children
https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/06/14/curley-public-safety-privacy-can-coexist-to-protect-kids/
Publish Date: 2026-06-14 03:46:00
Source Domain: www.bostonherald.com
Nearly three decades have passed since my 10-year-old son Jeffrey was abducted, sexually assaulted, and murdered in Massachusetts. Not a single day goes by that I do not think about him or wonder whether something — some lead, some tool, some piece of information — could have changed the outcome.
When a child disappears, every second matters. Parents do not think about politics or technology in those moments. They think about getting their child home alive.
When my son was taken from us, we did not have the technology we have today. But families today do have technology that can help police track down bad actors before the worst happens. I am a strong believer in protecting our privacy rights. I also believe that no government agency should ever inappropriately obtain or misuse our private information.
But I am also an unwavering supporter of our police and giving them the tools to keep our children and our communities safe. Flock Safety cameras are used by 5,000 law enforcement agencies across the country and for good reason: they help save lives.
These systems are not about tracking law-abiding people living their daily lives. They are designed to help law enforcement identify vehicles connected to crimes, alert officers to stolen cars or wanted suspects, and generate leads in cases involving kidnappings, violent crimes, and missing persons. In crimes against children, time is everything. Delayed information can mean the difference between rescue and tragedy.
In Jeffrey’s case, two predators used a vehicle to lure him away in a matter of moments. Criminals move quickly, often across multiple communities before police can gather enough information to respond. Today’s law enforcement officers should have access to every modern tool that helps them act faster than the people committing these crimes.
Police departments, especially those already stretched thin by limited manpower and growing demands, need tools that help them work smarter and coordinate…
