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Wayne approves two-year Flock Safety camera agreement for crime tracking
Summary
The Wayne City Council approved a two-year agreement to place eight Flock Safety cameras around the city at a cost of $24,800 per year; the police department expects partial reimbursement from Justice Assistance grants and said installation depends on Wayne County permits.
Wayne — The Wayne City Council on July 15 approved a two-year agreement with Flock Safety for eight fixed street cameras at a cost of $24,800 per year, to be paid from the police department's capital outlay budget with partial reimbursement expected from Justice Assistance grants.
Police Chief Ryan Strong told the council the cameras are intended “for the tracking and apprehension of stolen vehicles and other vehicles used in serious crimes,” and are not for routine traffic enforcement or day-to-day tracking of residents. The agreement gives the city ownership of the cameras for the two-year term; Flock Safety will replace cameras if they are broken, Chief Strong said.
The chief said the first year is largely grant funded: he cited two Justice Assistance Grants, one from 2023 for just over $9,000 and one from 2024 for just over $8,000, and estimated the city is about 90% confident it will be reimbursed $17,935 of the $24,800 annual cost. He added the Justice Department has not yet released the funds and that the reimbursement figure is an estimate, not a firm commitment.
Council members asked how the arrangement works and about installation. Chief Strong said the cameras would be mounted throughout the city at major intersections, naming Michigan and Wayne and Van Born and Merriman as examples, and that Flock Safety handles installation and replacement; installation costs were included in the quoted pricing. He said the city has coordinated with neighboring communities that already use Flock cameras.
Chief Strong warned the permitting process will take time: obtaining permits from Wayne County could take four to five months, and securing those permits is the limiting factor on when equipment can be installed. He described the two-year agreement as effectively a trial period; at the end of two years the council can choose to discontinue, expand, or renew the program.
Council approved the agreement by voice vote. The motion to approve was recorded in the meeting transcript as “Move to approve. Gout. Support, Darish.” and the mayor stated “Motion carries.”
The council heard the presentation in the context of the police department’s capital plans and previous discussion with the city manager about pursuing the cameras; City Manager Webb was mentioned by the chief as having identified cameras as a priority.
Council members did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; the approval was taken by voice vote.
The city will proceed with purchase and seek the stated reimbursements but will await Wayne County permits before scheduling installations.
