The Alpena News reported that Michigan communities are weighing automated license plate readers while police officials and Flock Safety argue for privacy safeguards instead of dropping the technology. Flock cameras record images of passing vehicles and their plates, and police can search that database during an investigation.
The technology has drawn scrutiny over how long data is kept, who can access it, and whether cameras could track a vehicle's movements. Bridge Michigan reported that Bay City and Ferndale have cancelled their Flock contracts. Lansing's City Council voted to ask the mayor and police department to end the city's contract.
What are Michigan's pending plate reader bills?
Bills to regulate license plate readers statewide are pending in two committees.
- The House Judiciary Committee has one.
- The Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee has the other.
- Lead sponsors are Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake Township, and Rep. Douglas Wozniak, D-Shelby Township.
The Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police backs legislation that would set guidelines for readers. Its executive director, Ron Wiles, said the group supports a 30-day retention period, audits of searches and officer training.
What are Flock and police saying about data and misuse?
Flock says its customers own and control the data their cameras generate, and that data sharing is not enabled by default. Courtney Terlecki, a Flock media relations representative, said the company has added technology to flag improper searches. That feature, called Audit Assistance, detects abnormal activity and sends it to an administrator for review.
- Flock is looking to implement Audit Assistance for all law enforcement customers before the end of 2026, according to Terlecki.
- Users must record the purpose of each search.
- Flock's default retention period for new customers is now seven days, with an Evidence Mode to keep data tied to active investigations.
Terlecki also said Flock cameras do not follow people in real time or use facial recognition to identify vehicle occupants.
What changes for drivers?
No statewide rule has passed, since the bills are still in committee. Lansing's requested contract termination covers the city's Flock contract. Bay City and Ferndale have cancelled theirs, and the Lapeer County Sheriff's office dropped its request for readers. Grand Rapids has placed its reader system under the city's surveillance technology policy, which calls for extra approvals from the Public Safety Committee and City Commission for future purchases, renewals or expansions.
What should residents ask their local government?
Ask how long plate data is kept, who can search it, and whether each search requires a stated purpose. Ask whether the agency has a contract with Flock or another vendor, and whether that contract can be ended. You can check agency records on the agencies page, and how plate readers work explains the terms used in those records.
Flock says it is looking to implement Audit Assistance for all law enforcement customers before the end of 2026. To see which readers are near you, open the camera map.