ADRIAN — Plans to expand Lenawee County’s surveillance capabilities with Flock Safety cameras just hit a speed bump.
Commissioners sent the proposed contract back to committee for a closer look, citing privacy concerns and unanswered questions.
The proposed purchase would install automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) across the county — part of a broader public safety initiative. But during the May 13th Ways and Means meeting, board members paused the $70,000 deal after some raised red flags over civil liberties, transparency, and how the data would be managed long-term.
The Criminal Justice Committee had previously greenlit the quote from Flock Safety, a private surveillance firm used by law enforcement agencies nationwide. However, multiple commissioners signaled that a deeper dive was needed before any vote moved forward.
Documents show the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office requested 10 Flock Falcon cameras and access to the national law enforcement sharing network. The contract includes one year of software installation and a three-year data retention option. Annual cost: $23,000 — plus a one-time $4,000 installation fee.
No timeline has been set for a final vote. Commissioners say they want answers before locking in a system that watches everyone but isn’t yet fully understood.