On Thursday, dozens of citizens took to the streets in several Connecticut towns to voice opposition to the deployment of automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. The day‑long “Surveillance Off Our Streets” rallies were held in New Haven, Bristol, West Hartford and Windsor Locks, drawing participants from local civil‑liberties groups and neighborhood associations.
Local groups lead the charge
The events were organized by a coalition that includes the Connecticut Civil Liberties Defense Committee and other privacy‑focused organizations. Speakers warned that ALPR systems—most commonly supplied by Flock Safety—collect and store vehicle‑identifying data that can be used to track innocent motorists without probable cause.
Norwalk debates a $5 million Axon contract
In a virtual Finance and Claims Committee meeting, Norwalk officials discussed a proposed five‑year contract with Axon, a rival surveillance vendor, valued at more than $5 million. Activist Erik Vitaglione, who runs the DeFlock CT Instagram page, argued that swapping one vendor for another would not address the underlying privacy concerns. “This is a bait and switch,” Vitaglione said. “They set up one product to bring in another product. I believe the Axon flip is probably because Flock fell out of favor.”
State‑level restrictions already in place
Earlier this year, the Connecticut legislature enacted tighter limits on ALPR usage, cutting the length of time police may retain captured data. The Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POSTC) subsequently issued guidelines calling for even shorter retention periods and stricter user‑authorization controls.
Municipal pressure continues
Despite those statewide measures, many local police departments have faced ongoing pressure to discontinue the cameras. The ALPR and automated speed‑camera programs attracted statewide attention during the summer, especially in Milford, where the technology sparked heated debate.
Some municipalities, such as Fairfield, have already opted for alternative vendors like Axon for their ALPR needs, indicating a shift away from Flock Safety’s equipment.
ACLU calls for further action
The American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut (ACLU) has pledged to advocate for additional restrictions during the next legislative session, emphasizing the need for robust oversight to protect citizens’ privacy rights.
While the rallies did not result in immediate policy changes, they underscore a growing grassroots movement in Connecticut that seeks to balance public‑safety technology with constitutional protections for privacy and liberty.
Original reporting: The Connecticut Mirror — read the source article.
