Milford Police Install Traffic Cameras, But Not To Issue Tickets

MILFORD, MA — Don't worry, you can still speed, use your cell phone, roll through stop signs and run red lights in Milford without getting a ticket.

Milford police recently began installing traffic cameras at key intersections around town, but the devices can't be used to issue traffic tickets, according to the department. The cameras are made by Flock, a private public safety company geared toward law enforcement.

"We use these cameras as a public safety and investigative tool rather than traffic enforcement. The cameras are not scanning for expired stickers, people illegally passing through red lights, etc.," the department said in a recent Facebook post.

The cameras can be used to watch traffic in real time and record license plates, the department said.

Under state law, police departments can't conduct automated enforcement via cameras, although many other states allow the practice. That could change with a bill in the state Legislature would create a pilot program for automated enforcement. The bill, which has been bundled with others related to transportation for review this session, would allow 10 communities in Massachusetts to install enforcement cameras on school buses, stop signs and traffic lights, and would cap fines during the pilot at $25 each.