Middletown Human Relations Commission Meeting - June 25, 2026

The Middletown Human Relations Commission met on June 25, 2026, at approximately 5:08 PM. The primary agenda item was a presentation and discussion with the Chief of Police on the city's speed camera program, including a technical glitch reported by a commissioner. The meeting also covered updates on the Beman community project and future support for Project 860.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved by voice vote with a motion from Sanji Lewis and a second.
• Approval of Minutes (May 20, 2026): The minutes were approved by voice vote with a motion from Sanji Lewis and a second.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dr. Don Brooks (Commissioner, online): Raised a concern about a software glitch in the speed camera citation lookup system. When entering her citation number and personalized Connecticut plate, the system displayed a citation from another state with the same plate number but a different date. She emphasized the need for full transparency so that residents and non-residents can clearly see which citation belongs to them. She appreciated the chief's response and noted she was not complaining about the program itself.

Discussion Items

• Chief of Police Presentation on Speed Cameras: The chief provided a detailed overview of the camera program on Route 66 (west of Camp Street and George Street), which was activated on July 9, 2025. Key data shared:
  • Approximately 180,000 vehicles pass the cameras every seven days.
  • Initially, 80% of vehicles were traveling at least 10 mph over the 35 mph speed limit; about 50% exceeded 20 mph over.
  • After activation, speeds over 20 mph dropped by 94%, and overall speeds reduced by 70%.
  • Average monthly violations: ~20,000; city revenue estimated at $3 million (funds go to the city finance department for traffic safety improvements, not the police department).
  • Only 5% of violations are from Middletown residents; the majority are from rentals and out-of-town drivers.
  • Fines are structured like parking tickets (no impact on license, insurance, or registration). Hearings: first online, then in-person at the police department (four attorneys hired per DM), then appeal to Superior Court.
  • The chief expressed strong support for the program, noting it has freed up officers for community engagement and reduced crashes at dangerous locations (e.g., Camp Street). He also noted a psychological effect where in-car GPS alerts increase driver awareness.
• Glitch and Vendor Response: The chief confirmed the vendor (DACRTEC) was notified of the issue Dr. Brooks reported. The problem involves how the system captures the state of registration on plates. The vendor is working on a fix to better display the state and prevent mismatches. The chief assured the commission of transparency and ongoing improvements.
• Visibility of Speed Camera Signs: Commissioner Sanji Lewis noted that signs are hard to see at night and suggested solar-powered blinking lights or reflective signs. The chief explained that signs on state highways are regulated and would require permits, but he would look into options such as line painting or color changes.
• Traffic Flow and Secondary Roads: The chief noted that traffic volume on Route 66 may have decreased, and studies on secondary roads (e.g., George Street) are planned to monitor potential diversion. Rumble strips before school zone cameras are being considered.
• Beman Community Project (Old Business): The commission discussed following up with Joey Fresh (PALs director) to understand how they can support and sustain his initiative at Beman Middle School, especially given the principal's departure. The commission agreed to have the chair's office email Tony to check on previous outreach.
• Project 860: Commissioner Sanji Lewis reported that the young ladies from Project 860 (a middle school program) expressed interest in expanding to the high school and leaving a legacy. The commission discussed supporting the group's upcoming fashion show on June 27, 2026, and developing a proposal for potential council funding.

Key Outcomes

• Speed Camera Glitch: The chief committed to working with the vendor to fix the state-of-registration display issue and will follow up with Dr. Brooks on the outcome.
• Beman Project: The commission will have the chair's office email Tony to inquire about his conversation with Joey Fresh to clarify the desired support before approaching the new principal.
• Project 860: The commission will attend the fashion show on June 27 and develop a proposal for future funding, following the same model used for previous projects.
• Next Meeting: The commission will confirm with Casey whether the July 15 meeting is still scheduled or if the previously discussed July break will be taken.