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New Canaan approves one-month trial of handheld license-plate reader for parking enforcement
Summary
The Board of Selectmen approved a one-month free trial of Passport Labs’ handheld license-plate-reader feature to speed enforcement in downtown areas; if adopted the service would cost $500 a month and the town said the trial can be canceled at any time. Board members pressed staff on data retention and privacy during debate.
The New Canaan Board of Selectmen on Nov. 28 approved a one-month trial with Passport Labs Inc. to enable a handheld license-plate-reader (LPR) feature intended to speed parking enforcement on busy streets such as Elm and South.
Stacy, who presented the item for the parking department, said the amendment would let officers point an upgraded handheld device at license plates, press a button and immediately retrieve whether a vehicle has paid or holds a permit. "It just pulls up whether they paid, whether it has a permit," she said.
The trial is free for one month; if the town continues the service, Passport Labs would charge $500 per month for the service (not per handheld), the presenter said. "It's $500 a month for the feature," Stacy said. The board added a change to allow staff to enter a full contract after the trial if the town is satisfied.
Board members questioned privacy and retention. One member asked whether the handheld would store location data; staff said it likely follows current town practice and would retain reads for roughly 30 days. "I believe it works the same as our current license plate reader, which does—we'll store it for about 30 days," a parking staff member said.
The board approved the amendment unanimously and authorized town staff to enter a continuing contract at $500 per month if the trial meets expectations. The motion included the right to cancel at any time.
Why it matters: The LPR is intended to reduce labor and error from manually entering plates during downtown patrols. Selectmen pressed department staff for clarity about retention and operational details, signaling continued interest in balancing efficiency and privacy. The town has arranged a free trial and will bring no further formal approval back to the board unless the town requests additional changes or the board directs otherwise.
What’s next: The trial is to run for one month; if staff recommend continuation the town will begin the $500 monthly subscription. The board said it expects staff to report back on operational performance and any privacy implications observed during the trial.
