In an era where our personal freedoms are increasingly under scrutiny, it has never been more important to protect our constitutional rights. Many residents of Connecticut, myself included, are deeply concerned about the use of surveillance technologies, particularly Flock Safety cameras, on our roads and public spaces.

Flock cameras, designed to record license plates and track vehicle movements, are being installed throughout our state without clear guidelines or oversight. This unregulated use of surveillance technology is an alarming invasion of privacy and a significant overreach that violates our Fourth Amendment rights, which protect us against unreasonable searches and seizures.

There is little transparency regarding how the data collected is stored, who has access to it, and how it might be used in the future. The absence of clear regulations exposes citizens to potential misuse of their private data, with no guarantee that the information will remain secure or be used ethically.

Numerous studies and real-world examples have shown that increased surveillance does not necessarily lead to increased safety. Instead, it creates a sense of mistrust between the community and law enforcement, potentially turning every citizen into a suspect. Furthermore, an overreliance on surveillance can lead to dangerous biases and profiling, echoing historical injustices that we strive to overcome.

It's crucial that we draw a line to protect our privacy and freedoms. I urge the local government of Connecticut to immediately remove these cameras and ensure that all future surveillance decisions are made with the input of the communities they will impact. Comprehensive privacy laws should be enacted to keep pace with advancing technologies, ensuring any implementation respects constitutional rights and maintains public trust.

Benjamin Franklin is often credited with saying, "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Whether every modern circumstance is identical to Franklin's time is open to debate, but the warning remains relevant: freedom should not be compromised simply because technology makes surveillance easier

Please sign this petition to demand the removal of Flock cameras from our roads and work towards safeguarding our constitutional freedoms for a safer and more just society.