Newtown police suspend license plate reader use

22 August 2026. [AI first draft. Verify every fact against the source before publishing.]

The Newtown Police Department announced on Thursday that it will suspend operation of stationary automated license plate readers. Police Chief David Kullgren stated the department will halt the technology while working with elected officials and residents to develop a shared approach to its use.

The pause follows resident feedback and deliberation by both the police department and the Board of Police Commissioners. Kullgren said the department and board remain committed to consulting with elected leadership to reach consensus on the technology that reflects community values.

During the suspension, the Board of Police Commissioners will receive regular documentation confirming the readers are not being used for law enforcement searches or image collection. The announcement did not specify how long the suspension will remain in place or provide details on the original contract terms, deployment dates, or number of devices involved [verify: contract initiation date, number of devices, original deployment location]. Residents can request records from the Board of Police Commissioners regarding ALPR documentation, prior usage logs, and any future policy decisions through public records requests.

Read the original reporting: newportdispatch.com.