Hamtramck council approves expansion of Flock license‑plate camera system amid privacy warnings

Hamtramck — The City Council voted April 21 to approve a plan to expand and modify the city’s Flock license‑plate camera system, a decision that follows emotional public testimony and technical warnings about the platform’s security and data‑sharing practices.

Police officials told the council the cameras have already helped detectives identify stolen vehicles, find suspects and build leads that would otherwise have been lost. "Flock is allowing us to get leads and solve crimes," the police chief said in his presentation, citing casework the department attributed to the system. Staff recommended adding 12 live cameras to bring total coverage to approximately 32 camera locations and to relocate or augment coverage at high‑traffic intersections and gaps in the current network.

But residents, privacy advocates and several speakers with technical experience urged the council to pause. "Safety without trust is not safety," one resident said, urging transparency on who can access the data. A local computer‑vision engineer warned the council that the platform could be "Netflix for stalkers," a phrase he used to describe how insecure live feeds might be abused. Multiple speakers cited recent municipal decisions in Michigan and elsewhere to pause or end Flock partnerships and pointed to investigative reporting that documented past security lapses.

Council members asked the chief to explain the system’s safeguards. The chief said the city controls the data in contract with the vendor and that access is restricted to law enforcement purposes with sharing permitted only upon lawful request. He also said the department uses forfeiture proceeds rather than the general fund to pay for the proposed expansion.

Supporters of the upgrade — including several residents who credited the system with helping detectives recover stolen vehicles and arrest suspects — said the tool improves investigators’ ability to follow leads quickly and to solve time‑sensitive crimes.

Council debate centered on two questions: whether the added cameras would be positioned and managed to minimize capture of private property and whether contractual or policy language adequately limits data access and retention. Staff cited an ongoing state bill (House Bill 5493) under consideration that would regulate LPR use; the chief said the department also maintains a usage policy.

After discussion, the council approved Resolution 2026‑52 to purchase and modify the system. The motion passed following roll call; staff said funding for the expansion will come from police forfeiture funds and that the department will implement the system consistent with the city's policy and the vendor contract.

Next steps outlined by staff include finalizing camera locations, executing contract amendments, and publishing the department’s usage policy to describe who can request or obtain access. The council did not set a specific public‑audit or oversight schedule for the system during the meeting.

The vote marks a significant local policy decision about surveillance and policing technology in Hamtramck. Residents who opposed the expansion said they will continue to press the city for written limits on data retention and third‑party access; supporters said the system demonstrably improves case outcomes and public safety.