Milford, CT drivers might wonder about the faces endorsing the surveillance cameras mapping their daily routes. Milford Police Chief Keith Mello recently stated that Flock Safety, a prominent provider of automated license plate readers (ALPRs), used his image in a promotional video without his consent. This detail, reported by Stamford Advocate, comes amidst ongoing community discussions about ALPR privacy and deployment.
Chief Mello addressed the issue in a Facebook post, responding to a "screen grab circulating on social media showing me and members of my staff in a Flock promotional video." He clarified that he was unaware of the footage being used for this purpose and did not grant permission. Flock Safety has not yet responded publicly to the chief's statement.
What does this mean for drivers?
For drivers, this incident highlights the broader concerns surrounding ALPR technology. While the chief's image use is a separate issue from the cameras themselves, it touches on transparency and control. If a police chief's image can be used without explicit consent, it raises questions about how other data, like your vehicle's movements, is managed and shared. Knowing where ALPRs are helps you understand your exposure to this kind of data collection. You can find out more about how these systems work on our /learn page.
Milford's Board of Aldermen recently decided to pause and review the city's ALPR program, rather than ending it outright. This decision follows heated community discussions, including messages projected onto City Hall calling for "Flock out of CT."
Milford police union officials have defended ALPRs as essential for officer safety, citing their ability to provide real-time information on:
- Known and dangerous felons
- Wanted persons
- Stolen vehicles
- Weapon/firearm information
Chief Mello maintains that being featured in a vendor's video does not constitute an endorsement or influence department policy. He emphasized that the city, not Flock, covered the travel and lodging costs for the 2025 conference where the footage was taken.
What changes are coming to ALPR use in Connecticut?
Connecticut drivers will see new regulations taking effect on October 1. A new state law will generally limit how long ALPR data can be retained and restrict how the technology can be used. This legislative change followed an investigation that revealed out-of-state police were accessing Connecticut ALPR data for immigration enforcement.
Governor Ned Lamont has also requested that the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council review the use of surveillance cameras and ALPR technology. He urged municipalities to halt new installations until final guidance is issued. Drivers in Milford and across Connecticut should watch for updates from the Board of Aldermen regarding the future of the city's ALPR program and the statewide guidance expected from the Police Officer Standards and Training Council.