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Mayor sets timeline for removal of Flock cameras after council action; residents urge re-evaluation
Summary
Mayor Coleman announced removal dates for Westland's Flock camera installations after council decision not to renew several contracts; a retired lieutenant urged the council to reconsider the decision, citing investigative benefits of the system.
Mayor Kevin Coleman told the meeting that Westland has 29 Flock cameras in total (10 owned by the city, 10 purchased through the tax increment finance authority, and 9 through the downtown development authority) and outlined the removal schedule tied to contract expirations: the police contract expires Aug. 30 (20 cameras will be removed by mid-September) and the remaining contracts expire through Nov. 5 (final removals by the end of November).
During public comment a retired Westland police lieutenant said removing the ALPR (automated license-plate reader) system reduced investigative capability and urged the council to "hit pause" and perform additional due diligence, including asking detectives for usage data and consulting outside experts. He cited a recent cross-jurisdiction arrest in Lorraine, Ohio, where Flock data assisted investigators, as an example of the system's utility.
Mayor Coleman said staff will remove cameras after contract expirations and indicated the administration has instructed staff to coordinate timelines and communications with residents about the removals.
