RIGA — A Lenawee County commissioner is continuing to voice opposition to the use of license plate reader technology by the Sheriff’s Office.
In a recent district newsletter, Commissioner Kevon Martis reiterated concerns about the Flock camera system, citing privacy issues, data use, and legal questions surrounding how long information is stored and who can access it.
Martis says:
“I continue to read stories of communities who are cancelling their contracts with FLOCK, typically over concerns about the use of the data. Left leaning people are concerned about ICE having access to the license plate data. Civil libertarians are still concerned about the government creating a database of people’s location by time and place when they have committed no crime. There are also legal questions about record retention laws not permitting governmental entities to automatically delete the records on a 30-day look back and strong arguments that these records are subject to FOIA requests. I remain opposed and will watch closely as our renewal period approaches.”
The system, currently in use in Lenawee County, is designed to help law enforcement identify vehicles linked to crimes, but has drawn criticism in some communities over surveillance and privacy concerns.
Martis says he plans to monitor the program as the county approaches a future contract renewal period.