Governor Lamont Urges Halt on New License Plate Readers Amid Privacy Concerns

Hartford & New Haven, CT, August 11, 2026 —

Governor Ned Lamont has issued a directive urging Connecticut municipalities to pause the installation of new automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and safety cameras. The governor’s office cited growing public concerns over data privacy as the primary reason for this call to halt new deployments while the state develops clearer guidelines for data collection and access.

The move reflects a broader debate across the state and nation regarding the use of surveillance technology and its impact on individual privacy. In Killingworth, local officials have already taken steps to address these concerns by removing Flock Safety cameras from town properties. The decision in Killingworth was attributed to data privacy considerations.

However, other Connecticut communities view these cameras as indispensable tools for law enforcement. New Haven officials, for instance, have expressed that these devices are crucial for their ability to solve crimes and enhance public safety. The differing perspectives highlight the tension between security needs and privacy rights.

Flock Safety, a prominent provider of ALPR technology, has stated that communities retain ownership of the data collected by their cameras. The company further asserts that the majority of images captured are deleted without being viewed. Access to this data is reportedly restricted to situations where a vehicle is suspected of involvement in a criminal investigation.

Further changes regarding the use and retention of such data are forthcoming with a new state law scheduled to take effect on October 1st. This legislation is expected to introduce limitations on data sharing and shorten the period for which data can be retained.

Story summarized from the original created by Dylan Fearon on www.wfsb.com, see more information here.