Project Overview
This interactive map visualizes the 26 known Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras in New Canaan, Connecticut. It is part of the DeFlock project, a community-driven, open-source effort to map ALPRs across the United States.
The goal is transparency: making visible the surveillance infrastructure that exists in our community so that residents, journalists, and policymakers can have informed conversations about privacy, public safety, and oversight.
Data Sources
- Camera locations: DeFlock open data (crowdsourced, via OpenStreetMap)
- Base map: OpenStreetMap
- Tile data: DeFlock regional tiles (20°×20° grid)
Note: Data is crowdsourced and may be incomplete or contain errors. Camera locations are approximate. If you know of cameras not shown, consider contributing to the DeFlock project.
Technology Stack
- Leaflet: Interactive mapping library
- Leaflet.markercluster: Marker clustering for dense camera areas
- Vanilla JavaScript (ES6+): No build step, no frameworks
- CSS Variables: Theming (dark/light mode)
- localStorage: Persists theme preference
Features
- Interactive Map: Pan, zoom, click markers for camera details
- Marker Clustering: Groups nearby cameras at lower zoom levels
- Camera List Page: Searchable, sortable table with road names
- Dark/Light Mode: Persisted theme preference
- CSV Export: Download all camera data
- Search: Filter by ID, road, manufacturer, operator, direction
- Responsive Design: Works on mobile and desktop
New Canaan Specifics
- 26 cameras within town limits (approximate bounds: 41.11°N to 41.20°N, 73.52°W to 73.42°W)
- Primary vendor: Flock Safety (majority)
- Primary operator: New Canaan Police Department
- Other operators: Norwalk PD, Wilton PD, Axon Enterprise
- Major roads covered: Route 123 (Main St, New Canaan Ave, West Ave, East Ave), Route 124 (Oenoke Ridge, Lakeview Ave), Route 106
Related Pages
- Risks of ALPRs: Privacy, civil liberties, and policy concerns
- Take Action: How to advocate for oversight in New Canaan
Source Code & Contributing
This is an open-source project. Contributions and improvements are welcome. Share ideas for additions such as:
- Report missing or incorrect camera locations
- Improve road name mappings
- Add features (filter by operator, date added, etc.)
- Fix bugs or improve mobile experience
To get started, email us with your ideas, or visit the Take Action page to advocate for oversight.