By MJ Shannon
State Rep., D-117
MJ Shannon
Flock cameras have become a major topic of conversation in Milford and Orange over the past several month. I have heard from residents with very different perspectives, but I think there is one thing we can all agree on: keeping our communities safe is a responsibility we take seriously.
As a state legislator, I strongly support our law enforcement officers and making sure they have the technology, staffing and resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. But I also believe that protecting public safety should never require us to give up our expectation of privacy.
That is why I was proud to support Senate Bill 397 during this year’s legislative session. The bill, which became Public Act 26-14, established important protections for data collected by automated license plate reader systems. The law places limits on how long this information can be retained and establishes rules governing when law enforcement can access and use it. It also provides greater accountability around these systems and the sensitive information they collect.
These protections are an important step forward, but I do not believe they go far enough.
Flock cameras are not simply traditional security cameras. They are part of a privately operated surveillance system that can collect and store information about where vehicles travel. When these systems are deployed throughout our communities, they have the potential to create a detailed record of our movements, whether or not we have done anything wrong.
I do not believe that should become the norm.
Public safety and personal privacy are not opposing values, and we should reject the idea that we have to sacrifice one to protect the other. We can give law enforcement the tools they need while also establishing clear boundaries around surveillance and protecting the privacy of law-abiding residents.
For that reason, I support an immediate pause on the use and expansion of Flock cameras while we take a closer look at their impact. Ultimately, I believe Connecticut should ban Flock and similar privately operated surveillance systems and instead invest in public safety technology that keeps sensitive data under public control, with clear rules, oversight and accountability.
Our communities deserve to be safe. But they also deserve to know that their government is protecting their privacy. We should not have to choose between the two, and I will continue working toward a Connecticut that protects both.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns about this issue or any other matter before the state legislature, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office. I value hearing from residents and welcome your thoughts, questions and feedback. You can reach me by email at mj.shannon@cga.ct.gov or by phone at 860-240-8585.