Council approves six additional Flock ALPR cameras amid a privacy debate; purchase covered by forfeiture funds

The Sterling Heights City Council approved the purchase and installation of six additional Flock automatic license-plate reader (ALPR) cameras to expand the department's investigative tools, funding the first-year incremental cost from federal forfeiture funds.

Police Chief Andy Satterfield said the cameras are an "outstanding investigative tool" used to locate suspect vehicles and support investigations. He described data-retention rules (images retained for 30 days unless preserved for active investigations), annual audits, and participation in a Flock transparency dashboard that shows usage metrics and access logs. The chief said access is limited to sworn officers and dispatched personnel with training, and that material is not sold or shared with third parties for non-law-enforcement purposes.

Council discussion reflected sharply divergent views. Supporters cited recent arrests aided by ALPR hits and emphasized the department's auditing and oversight. A dissenting council member warned the expansion increases the "surveillance state," argued the technology can be misused and said the city should resist expanding monitoring of residents. The dissent noted national examples where ALPR data was misused and said the technology can capture repeated movements of the same vehicles.

The council approved the purchase on a recorded voice vote (tally recorded as 6–1). Police staff said the cameras will be sited in strategic, high-traffic or investigative-priority locations and that the department will continue audits and transparency reporting.