Milford aldermen vote to pause Flock Condor cameras pending committee review
Milford's Flock Condor cameras will now undergo the same evaluation as the city's traffic enforcement cameras and Flock license plate readers.
More Stories
The city of Milford is turning off its controversial Flock Condor cameras for now, but the debate isn't over.
On Monday night, the Board of Aldermen took two votes about these security cameras, which are different than the Flock license plate readers. The first was to shut down the cameras altogether, which failed. The second was to temporarily pause their use and send the issue to the city's newly created technology review committee. That measure passed.
"We have been told for months now that this is apolitical issue, but last night both sides of the parties came together, and they passed this in support. And I'm very proud of that," said Milford resident Tracy Ambrosecchio.
Ambrosecchio is part of the DeFlock Milford group and attended the packed meeting at Milford City Hall where person after person raised privacy concerns about Condor cameras. There are over two dozen installed in the city.
According to Flock's website, they provide active surveillance including the ability to pan, tilt and zoom.
"It's deliberately to watch people 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And we as people don't understand why we need that level of surveillance," said Ambrosecchio. "Who's controlling the data? That's where the concern is."
Condor cameras will now undergo the same evaluation as the city's traffic enforcement cameras and Flock license plate readers. In August, the board of aldermen voted to temporarily turn those off for review except for cameras at the city's boards.
"I think all we can ask for is a pause and review and answer is this technology actually safe and needed in the city of Milford," Ambrosecchio.
Chief Keith Mello released the following statement:
"Last night, the Milford Board of Aldermen voted to impose a temporary moratorium on the use of Flock Condor video cameras. In response, the Milford Police Department has deactivated all video cameras covered by the resolution.
Last year, the Board of Aldermen approved funding to replace and expand the city's public video security cameras, many of which had been in service for more than 20 years and had become obsolete.
To clarify their function for the public, these specific cameras are not license plate readers or automated speed enforcement cameras. They are video cameras strategically placed at busy intersections, recreation areas, parking areas, and commercial corridors. Their primary purpose has been to monitor traffic, enhance security for local businesses and public spaces, coordinate scene assessment before the arrival of emergency services, and support the city’s Emergency Operations Center during severe weather and flooding.
The Milford community deserves confidence in their personal safety, as well as in the tools and methods we use to provide it. We are committed to transparency and look forward to working collaboratively with the Board of Aldermen, the Mayor, the Police Commission, and the Technology Review Committee, to determine the most effective path forward."
The new technology review committee has a special meeting set for Thursday. The agenda includes the city's license plate readers and drone cameras. It's unclear if Condor cameras will be discussed as well.
The committee consists of the police chief, a couple aldermen and several community members.
The police union has said pausing Condor cameras and license plate readers will impact officer safety and emergency response.
