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Council tables Flock camera expansion after hours of public privacy concerns
Summary
After extended testimony for and against expanding the city's Flock license-plate readers and live-view camera/drone integrations, the council voted 5-4 to table the proposed appropriation indefinitely. The police said the systems improve response and investigations; opponents warned of mass surveillance and data-security problems.
The Michigan City Police Department asked the council for a rainy-day fund appropriation to expand its existing Flock license-plate reader system, add live-view community cameras and integrate a first-responder drone. Assistant Chief (MCPD) described Flock as a force-multiplier that helps locate vehicles tied to investigations and said Raven shot-detection and Flock had assisted investigations and reduced response times: "Better information leads to better decisions," he said.
Dozens of residents, civil-liberties groups and other speakers urged the council to reject expansion or pause to adopt strict oversight rules. Testimony highlighted instances of alleged misuse and data breaches elsewhere, concerns about long retention windows and the ability of vendors to access footage. Savannah Lyle, a registered nurse and lifelong resident, said, "Tonight is about whether we are expanding government surveillance faster than we are expanding government accountability." Other commenters urged using funds for additional officers instead of cameras.
Council members deliberated on technical points such as retention windows and whether search audits and quarterly reports would suffice to protect privacy. After discussion, Council voted 5 in favor and 4 opposed to table the appropriation indefinitely, halting the proposal for now.
The vote leaves the existing Flock contract in place but pauses the proposed expansion. Council members and police representatives said they would continue work on policy, auditing, and public workshops before any future proposal would return to the council.
