WHPD Chief Riddick Presents Overview of Automatic License Plate Reader Program

This West Hartford Community Interactive meeting on August 8, 2026, featured Chief Riddick presenting an overview of the town's Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) program, including its history, technology, and legal safeguards. The discussion covered the $64,000 annual cost of the five-year contract with vendor Flock Safety, funded initially by ARPA, and the strategic placement of 34 cameras based on crime and traffic data. Chief Riddick and Flock's Director of Public Trust and Technology, Max Weinstein, addressed public concerns about privacy, data retention (limited to 21 days per new state law effective October 1, 2026), data sharing restrictions with neighboring states, and strict access controls requiring officer training and audits. The meeting emphasized transparency through a public portal and highlighted the program's successes in aiding law enforcement investigations and arrests. Questions from council members focused on data security, vendor responsibilities, policy compliance, and community impact, with assurances given about contractual safeguards and legal recourse in case of data misuse.