Simsbury Residents Raise Privacy Concerns Over Flock Cameras; Selectmen Plan Further Discussion

SIMSBURY, CT — Simsbury officials plan further discussion before deciding whether to continue using Flock license plate reader cameras after residents raised concerns about privacy and civil liberties during a Sept. 28 selectmen meeting.

Simsbury Police Chief Nicholas Boulter defended the technology during a presentation to the board, saying license plate readers have become public safety tools used in investigations involving stolen vehicles, missing people, street takeovers and identity theft.

The discussion followed a public comment period dominated by concerns about the cameras.

Residents who addressed the issue included Daniel O'Connell, Tucker Salls, Luke Gilmore, Jim Mooneyham, Jacqueline Maulucci, Allen Bradford, Rene Dagverre, Kris Ridgeway, state Rep. Melissa Osborne, D-Simsbury, Andrew Hamlin, Nicholas Criscitelli, Paula Rudy and Lori Boyko.

Several specifically raised privacy concerns, while others questioned how the technology is used or called for the cameras to be removed.

Osborne said she understood the cameras could benefit police, but believed they posed a risk to rights and privacy.

Ridgeway said he did not believe the cameras should be used, while Criscitelli discussed why he wanted them removed.

Boulter told the board that license plate reader technology is not new to Simsbury, noting that readers were mounted on police vehicles as far back as 2012.

The chief outlined several aspects of the current system:

• Information collected by the readers is retained for 30 days.
• The cameras do not record video, according to Boulter.
• The system does not use facial recognition.
• The readers do not scan drivers inside vehicles, he said.
• Boulter said the system does not contain personal information and data is not shared with federal agencies.
• Simsbury police use Flock and Axon technology to obtain data, but Boulter said the department controls its data.
• Boulter said stolen vehicles and street takeovers have declined with assistance from the license plate readers.

Boulter also said the department is complying with state legislation and Police Commission policies.

He reviewed the public hearings and budget process that preceded acquisition of the readers and said he was willing to continue discussing residents' concerns.

Selectman Curtis Looney, the board's liaison to the Simsbury Police Commission, said the commission is taking steps to evaluate residents' concerns.

Simsbury First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis said the board appreciated the views expressed during the meeting and that additional discussion would take place before officials decide whether to continue using the Flock cameras.

No decision on the cameras was made during the Sept. 28 meeting.

For the minutes of the Sept. 28 Simsbury Board of Selectmen meeting, click on this link.