1. United States
2. Conn.
3. Letter

I am writing as a Connecticut resident to urge you to support legislation that would prohibit the use of all automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems, including those operated by Flock Safety, throughout our state. While these systems are often promoted as crime-fighting tools, they also create a network of mass surveillance that records the movements of countless law-abiding citizens who are not suspected of any wrongdoing. Every trip to work, the grocery store, a medical appointment, a place of worship, or a political meeting can become part of a searchable government database. In a free society, this level of routine surveillance should not be the norm. Although Connecticut recently enacted stronger regulations governing ALPRs, those safeguards do not address the fundamental concern: these cameras collect information on everyone, not just individuals suspected of crimes. Limiting data sharing or shortening retention periods does not eliminate the fact that innocent people are being tracked without individualized suspicion. The risks extend beyond privacy. Large databases are vulnerable to misuse, unauthorized access, and mission creep. History has shown that technologies introduced for one purpose are often expanded to others over time. Once a statewide surveillance network is established, future legislatures or agencies may broaden its use in ways that citizens never anticipated. I also question whether these systems are the best use of taxpayer resources. Many communities would benefit more from increased patrols, traffic enforcement, community policing, victim services, or investigative resources that directly target criminal activity without monitoring the daily movements of the general public. Connecticut has long valued both public safety and individual liberty. We should not have to sacrifice one to achieve the other. I respectfully ask you to introduce and support legislation that prohibits the use of automated license plate reader systems by state and local government agencies and prevents the creation of a statewide vehicle surveillance network. Thank you for your time, your service, and your consideration of this important issue. I hope you will stand with Connecticut residents who believe that privacy and freedom of movement remain essential rights deserving of strong protection.