With burgeoning fear and growing recalcitrance spreading across the country in response to vivid and dramatic actions executed by agents with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), concerns are filtering down into Wilton.
On Monday, Feb. 2, two residents urged Wilton Police Chief Tom Conlan, First Selectman Toni Boucher and the Board of Selectmen to issue a clear statement on the town’s policy and vision in relation to state law and any possibilities of cooperating with or abetting ICE.
Simultaneously, according to both Boucher and the Wilton Police Department, the WPD is now using the Flock Safety surveillance system, which some argue gathers personal data on people that can potentially be accessed by ICE and other federal databases, either directly or through third parties.
Boucher’s Jan. 30 newsletter repurposed a WPD announcement about its usage of the system, distributed on Jan. 12 via the Town’s CivicPlus email messaging system titled “Transparency, Accountability and Public Safety: Wilton’s Flock Safety Transparency Portal.” (The announcement is not listed on the Town’s website under news and announcements but the WPD webpage does link to it.)
The WPD statement said that the department had “begun using Flock Safety Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR),” describing it as a public safety technology aimed at “locating missing persons, recovering stolen vehicles, and responding quickly to serious and time-sensitive incidents.”
“Our use of Flock ALPRs is governed by strict departmental policy,” the WPD statement said. “The system does not use facial recognition, does not identify individuals, and is not used for generalized surveillance or monitoring of lawful activity. Access is restricted, logged, and audited, and every use must be tied to a legitimate law enforcement purpose. Responsible use of technology is essential to maintaining public trust, and misuse of any department system is not tolerated.”
A number of municipalities around the country, however, including some in California, Oregon and Washington, have now dropped use of any ALPR system — and Flock in particular — after audits of the technology showed that federal agencies have — or potentially could have — access to the databases tied to the cameras.
GOOD Morning Wilton sent specific questions to Boucher and Conlan about the Town’s usage of Flock, including exactly when the technology was first implemented in Wilton, whether there was any public notice or approval given on its use, and whether adequate consideration has been given to whether or not data can be accessed either directly or indirectly by third parties, including federal agencies. When either responds, this story will be updated.
The WPD announcement led off with assurances of standards, equitable use and transparency.
“Our mission is to serve and protect all citizens, maintain peace, and preserve the quality of life within the Town of Wilton by upholding the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and vigilance. We are committed to defending civil rights, honoring the dignity and value of every person, and ensuring the equitable and just application of the law,” the announcement began.
The notice explained that the department had launched a “Flock Safety Transparency Portal, to demonstrate how Wilton is using the ALPR technology and to allow residents to have oversight of the policy and safeguards.
“Responsible use of technology is essential to maintaining public trust, and misuse of any department system is not tolerated,” the statement read.
“Public safety works best when it is built on communication, shared understanding, and mutual respect. Together, we will continue to protect Wilton responsibly, equitably, and transparently.”
At the Feb. 2 Board of Selectmen meeting, Wilton resident Farah Masani expressed her concern. Masani, who is married to Wilton Police Officer Shawn Frendt, noted she was speaking as an immigrant and an American citizen but not as the wife of a Wilton officer.
“I’m here to ask the board to issue a clear and strong statement of support for our immigrant community, reaffirming that they are safe in this town,” she said. “For many of us right now, our sense of security is being replaced with deep uncertainty as we watch events of this country unfold.”
“In moments like this, silence from our leadership is mistaken for indifference … By providing this official communication you can insure that everyone is on the same page and that they know what to expect, business owners will know how to respond, when ICE shows up at their door — not if, when — It will happen,” Masani said.
Wilton resident Melissa Spohn echoed Masani’s thoughts and directly requested a statement of assurance from Conlan.
“Recent concerns and increased anxiety regarding ICE activities in Connecticut and Fairfield County highlighted the need for reassurance,” Spohn said. “I respectfully request that Police Chief Conlan issue a public statement affirming that the Wilton Police Department abides by Connecticut’s Trust Act, which insures that local and state law enforcement are not deputized for immigration enforcement, and upholds the Connecticut Police Accountability law, which requires officers to intervene when witnessing abuse by other law enforcement personnel, including federal immigration agents.”
“Such a statement would reassure all residents that Wilton remains a safe and welcoming place,” she said.
Though he was at the meeting to talk about his department’s budget, Conlan shared some thoughts in response to their comments.
“I can assure you that the lack of social media posts or statements by the department by no means should be misconstrued as our commitment to follow the Trust Act, follow the Police Accountability Bill, and the stuff that we put out to our officers and policies and in notices related to that,” Conlan said.
He said that officers are regularly informed of general notices coming down through state legislature, which are presented through the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council, which is part of the state’s Dept. of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
“Just in this past May, we updated our policy in regard to how we interface with ICE, things our officers can and can’t do,” Conlan said.
He offered to talk about it in more detail with the BOS, but Boucher suggested he instead write up a statement on the issue.
“I know on my end we follow the governor’s directions,” Boucher said. “That’s what we plan to do.”
Originally enacted in 2013, the Connecticut Trust Act maintains the state’s sovereignty by preventing deputization of local and state law enforcement for immigration enforcement, according to the state attorney general’s office. The act includes a range of other provisions relating to ICE.
BOS members did not pursue the topic, though comments from the public were acknowledged.
Selectman David Tatkow said, “A lot of people are very concerned.”
WPD Issues Statement on CT Trust Act and Community Safety
Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 4, the Wilton Police Department issued a statement to clarify the department’s role with regard to the CT Trust Act and Federal law enforcement.
Wilton Police Department Statement on Connecticut Trust Act and Community Safety
The Wilton Police Department is committed to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and lawful community for all residents. In light of recent questions regarding the presence of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the region, we want to clarify the role of the Wilton Police Department and the state mandated legal framework that governs our actions.
Connecticut law is clear. Under the Connecticut Trust Act — originally enacted in 2013 and updated in 2019 and 2025 — state and local law enforcement agencies are strictly limited in when and how they may respond to requests from federal immigration authorities.
Under the current Connecticut Trust Act:
Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers are requests, not warrants. They do not, by themselves, create a legal obligation for local police to arrest or detain an individual.
Wilton officers may not arrest or detain a person based solely on an Immigration detainer unless:
- The individual has been convicted of a Class A or B felony, or
- It is accompanied by a warrant signed by a judicial officer,
- The individual is identified as a possible match in the federal Terrorist Screening Database.
Wilton Police Officers may not allow Immigration officers to interview someone in their custody unless the same legal conditions mentioned above are met. Officers may not act on administrative warrants, which are not signed by a judge.
Connecticut State and Local Police may not perform the duties of federal immigration authorities.
The Trust Act does not prevent federal immigration authorities from enforcing federal law in Connecticut. Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and Immigration Officers retains full authority to conduct its operations independently of local police.
The Wilton Police Department’s mission remains unchanged: to protect public safety, uphold the law, and maintain trust with the community we serve. We do not inquire about immigration status when people call for help, report crimes, or interact with our officers. Our focus is on safety, fairness, and enforcing criminal laws, motor vehicle laws, and town ordinances.
We encourage all residents to continue working with the Wilton Police Department without fear or hesitation. Public safety depends on trust, cooperation, and open communication — and we are committed to preserving all three.
First Selectman Toni Boucher and the Wilton Police Commission support and endorse the Police Department’s statement.
It is interesting to google “flock alpr data hacking”. No matter what WPD says, the opportunity for problems is there. Every system has a weakest link, and one compromised credential can give access. Not saying its gonna happen or that WPD does not have the best intentions, which I believe they do, but one must be realistic about this technology. It is NOT foolproof.
All legal immigrants should be safe. All illegal immigrants with a felonious criminal past should be deported. Undocumented immigrants with no criminal record but who are gainfully employed and abiding by the laws of the United States should be encouraged to become legal residents.