Milford To Hold Town Hall On License Plate Readers, Traffic Cameras

MILFORD, CT — Milford residents will have another opportunity this week to weigh in on the city's use of license plate readers and traffic enforcement cameras amid an ongoing debate over privacy and public safety.

The Milford Police Department will hold a public town hall meeting Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Parson's Auditorium, 70 West River St. The meeting will focus on license plate reader cameras and speed and red-light cameras, also known as Automatic Traffic Enforcement Safety Devices.

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According to police, the town hall is intended to give residents an opportunity to learn more about both programs and ask questions. The meeting is open to Milford residents.

The meeting comes amid controversy over Milford's use of Flock Safety license plate readers, which record license plates along with information such as the location and time a vehicle was captured.

Residents packed an Aug. 3 Board of Aldermen meeting to raise concerns about privacy, transparency and the collection and sharing of data involving people who are not suspected of crimes.

Following roughly three hours of public comment, aldermen voted 8-6 to table until September a proposed resolution that would pause the use, installation or expansion of Flock cameras and other surveillance devices while the city conducts a 90-day review.

Police Chief Keith Mello defended the technology during the meeting, saying the cameras have helped police identify stolen vehicles and investigate serious crimes. He said access to the system is restricted, searches require a legal basis and case or event number, and activity is audited.

Mello also said the department reduced its data retention period from 30 days to 21 days and does not share data nationwide. He said the system blocks searches involving immigration enforcement, reproductive care and other areas protected under Connecticut law.

The city's Flock cameras are separate from its speed-enforcement cameras, which automatically issue citations to drivers exceeding posted speed limits by certain thresholds.

The debate continued after the Aug. 3 meeting, with six Republican aldermen calling for a special meeting to reconsider the tabled moratorium rather than waiting until September.

Wednesday's town hall will give residents a chance to question officials directly about both camera programs before the Board of Aldermen is expected to revisit the issue.