Connecticut towns are installing license plate reading cameras on school buses
City and town leaders across Connecticut have been fielding growing pushback from residents over automated license plate readers, which opponents say raise a range of concerns about privacy. But as many state…
Connecticut towns are deploying license plate reading cameras on school buses to combat a surge in calls from residents regarding privacy concerns associated with automated license plate readers. Despite calls for a temporary halt on the technology to evaluate new policy guidance, several towns have proceeded with installation. Over half a dozen communities, including Vernon, Bridgeport, Danbury, Shelton, Stratford, North Haven, and New Haven, have partnered with BusPatrol, a firm specializing in AI-powered license plate readers.
These cameras are activated solely when a school bus stops with its warning lights and stop arm deployed. BusPatrol's technicians compile the footage and share it with local law enforcement. Unlike other license plate cameras owned by companies like Flock Safety, BusPatrol's devices do not continuously monitor roads. Since 2011, Connecticut has permitted digital video as evidence of violations, and a 2024 law amendment granted municipalities greater authority to establish video monitoring systems and impose fines.
In New Haven, which has deployed the technology on over 300 buses this year, cameras have already captured 12,000 incidents. Marc Petruzzi, the chief of police in Vernon, which launched its rollout last month, emphasized the installation of the cameras to prevent future tragedies.
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