LENAWEE CO. — Lenawee County commissioners have approved a two-year contract with Flock Safety to install automated license plate reader cameras despite concerns about surveillance and privacy. The $55,050 agreement will be funded through the county’s Public Safety and Justice Allocation.
The decision was made Tuesday by roll-call vote during the county’s Personnel/Ways & Means Committee meeting. The contract had been delayed in previous sessions but was brought forward after revisions.
Board Chair Jim Van Doren said the revised agreement now explicitly prohibits the activation of certain surveillance features, a key point raised by commissioners and the sheriff’s department in previous discussions.
The Flock system captures vehicle license plate data and can be used for law enforcement investigations. Critics have raised concerns about the technology’s potential to disproportionately impact certain communities and increase unwarranted surveillance.
The vote passed with dissent. Final approval will proceed to the full Board of Commissioners.