Windsor Pulls Plug On Flock License Plate Reader System

WINDSOR, CT — After a lengthy and emotional debate, the Windsor Town Council voted Tuesday night to direct the town manager to turn off the town’s Flock automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras and return with either an alternative system or a contract that complies with Windsor’s policy.

The motion passed 8-1. Councilor Will Pelkey cast the lone dissenting vote.

Councilor Ojala Naeem made the motion to direct the town manager to shut off the cameras and come back to the council with either an alternative solution or revised contract language that meets the town’s recently adopted ALPR policy.

Mayor Nuchette Black-Burke presided over the meeting. Deputy Mayor Darleen Klase and council members Kristin Gluck-Hoffman, James F. Durant, Mary Armstrong, Ronald C. Eleveld and Anthony King voted in favor of the motion.

During the discussion, Pelkey argued the council should wait until closer to the contract’s renewal deadline in early May to gather more information about potential costs and renegotiation options before turning the cameras off.

Town Manager Peter Souza said that if shutting off the cameras is interpreted as a contract termination, the town could face an early cancellation charge. Based on the time remaining on the agreement, Souza estimated that amount could total roughly $8,000, calculated at about $500 per device.

Council members discussed the possibility of requesting a “pause” instead of formally terminating the contract, though Souza said the town would need to confirm with the vendor whether a pause would still trigger a penalty.

The current agreement auto-renews in early June unless the town provides notice of non-renewal roughly 30 days prior, placing the decision deadline in early May.

Windsor’s system consists of 16 fixed cameras placed on public rights-of-way near major intersections and roads leading in and out of town, according to information posted by the Windsor Police Department. The town says the cameras are not used for traffic enforcement and do not capture images of vehicle occupants.

According to the town’s posted fact sheet, each camera costs $3,000 per year, for a total annual cost of $48,000. The document states that $18,000 comes from general fund dollars and $30,000 from non-tax sources.

Windsor adopted a formal ALPR Data Usage and Security Policy on Jan. 5, 2026. The policy limits use of the data to legitimate public safety purposes and restricts sharing to Connecticut law enforcement agencies and certain bordering-state agencies within 100 miles, unless approved case-by-case.

The policy also states that ALPR data should be deleted within 30 days unless tied to an active criminal investigation or required for court proceedings.

The vote followed public comment from residents both for and against the cameras, with some citing privacy and data-sharing concerns and others urging the council to maintain the technology as a tool to assist police investigations.

The town manager is now expected to return to the council with next steps regarding alternative options or contract changes.