Have you noticed those black box cameras popping up on utility poles and intersections around your town? If you live in Connecticut, chances are you are being tracked.
Mass surveillance isn’t a futuristic dystopian concept anymore—it’s operating right in our own backyards. Companies like Flock Safety have quietly built the largest vehicle-tracking network in America, using automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and advanced cameras that do much more than just snap a photo of your commute.
What is Flock Safety and How Does It Work?
Flock is a private surveillance technology company that deploys high-tech camera networks designed to capture and log vehicle movements.Unlike traditional traffic monitoring systems, these cameras automatically read license plates and increasingly log detailed vehicle characteristics—including make, model, color, bumper stickers, and even scratches.
Worse yet, this data feeds into massive, searchable databases. This creates permanent digital footprints of where ordinary citizens drive, who they visit, and where they spend their time.
And unlike the smartphone in your pocket, this surveillance is entirely involuntary. You never chose to have your daily movements cataloged, and as a resident, there is currently no way to opt out.
Real-World Abuses of Mass Surveillance
The fear surrounding these camera networks isn't just theoretical—we have already seen them abused in shocking ways across the country:
Norfolk, Virginia: Over 100 cameras created a comprehensive, searchable database mapping out where residents drove and who they met with. This system is currently facing a federal court challenge as a direct violation of the Fourth Amendment.
Orange City, Florida: A single police officer weaponized the network to unlawfully search his ex-girlfriend's car 69 times.
When private entities and law enforcement agencies hold unvetted, mass tracking data, the potential for government overreach and personal harassment skyrockets.
Flock Cameras Are Spreading Across Connecticut
Mass surveillance has rapidly established a footprint across cities and towns throughout Connecticut. Here is a snapshot of where these networks stand across our state:
Milford: Operates one of the larger networks in the state with 68 active units.
Clinton & Bristol: Heavily blanket major avenues and local roads with extensive coverage.
East Hampton: Recently approved an additional 11 units funded through community donations.
Other Towns with Active Footprints: Avon, Bloomfield, Cheshire, Groton, Monroe, Prospect, Putnam, Simsbury, Southington, and West Hartford.
Pushback and Resistance
Fortunately, communities are starting to push back. Windsor and Killingworth earned high praise recently after successfully canceling or voting against their contracts following fierce local pushback over civil liberties and privacy concerns.
How We Can Fight Back
The expansion of private surveillance networks doesn't have to be inevitable. Because these contracts are usually approved at the municipal level, local engagement is our strongest defense.
Talk to Your Neighbors: Raise awareness about what these cameras actually do and the breadth of data they collect.
Watch Town Agendas: Keep a close eye on local town council and police commission meetings where camera expansions, grant funding, or contract renewals are brought to a vote.
Hold Officials Accountable: Contact your local elected officials and let them know loud and clear: We do not want corporate mass surveillance hardware in our communities.
