Flock, Traffic Cameras Again Take Center Stage In Milford

The Board of Aldermen reviewed the issue at a meeting Monday night.

By Chris Rhatigan, Patch Staff

Sep 16, 2026 1:12 PM EDT

The Board of Aldermen reviewed the issue at a meeting Monday night. (The Board of Aldermen reviewed the issue at a meeting Monday night. )

MILFORD, CT — The Milford Board of Aldermen rejected an effort Monday to fully terminate the city's automated license plate reader and traffic enforcement camera programs, continuing instead with a previously approved pause and review.

Alderman Winthrop Smith III proposed an amendment that would have terminated fixed automated license plate readers, along with automated speed and red-light cameras. The proposal included exceptions for police body cameras, mobile plate readers on police vehicles and certain school cameras.

The amendment failed 9-6. The board later rejected the underlying resolution by the same 9-6 margin.

Public comment featured repeated calls to end or further restrict Milford's use of Flock cameras. Residents cited privacy, surveillance and data-sharing concerns, and several argued that the city had not given the public enough input before adopting the technology.

Some speakers urged the board to preserve the option of fully ending the programs and questioned how members of a committee tasked with evaluating the cameras were selected.

Alderman Kal Ali said residents have repeatedly called for the cameras' removal at public hearings.

"We need to get rid of these cameras and... we need to respect the privacy of our citizens and other people of Milford," Ali said.

Alderman Andy Fowler echoed this sentiment, saying establishing a committee amounted to "outsourcing our responsibility."

Opponents of immediate termination argued that the city's earlier action struck a balance between privacy and public safety and that the review process should be allowed to proceed.

Alderman Robert Pacelli, Jr. said the previous action addressed concerns by removing some stationary plate readers while keeping them at city entry points and establishing a committee to study the technology.

Alderman Jennifer Federico said some residents and crime victims had privately urged aldermen to keep the cameras. She added that Connecticut has "strong restrictions on the use of this technology."

At an Aug. 27 special meeting, aldermen had already paused Milford's speed and red-light camera program and restricted fixed license plate readers to city entry points while the programs undergo additional review.

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