Westland to remove Flock safety license plate cameras after privacy concerns
Westland to remove Flock safety license plate cameras after privacy concerns
Publish Date: 2026-07-10 14:15:00
Source Domain: www.clickondetroit.com
WESTLAND, Mich. – Westland will remove its 10 Flock Safety license plate-reading cameras when the city’s contract expires at the end of the month, following resident criticism and a split among city leaders over privacy, data access and the technology’s role in policing.
The cameras, located mainly around Ford Road, capture license plates and vehicle information that police can search when investigating crimes.
Westland City Councilwoman Melissa Sampey said recent council meetings drew repeated public comments questioning whether the technology is worth the cost and what it means for privacy.
“It really became apparent that the community was against it,” Sampey said.
Police Chief Kyle Dawley decided not to bring a renewal contract to the Westland City Council for approval. In a statement, the Westland Police Department said discussions with council members about how the cameras are used showed the council is “deeply split on this matter.”
Sampey said the controversy mainly centered around who can access the data.
“The access of the information of your license plate follows you any place that you go that has a Flock camera, and anyone can access it from basically any police station across the country,” Sampey said, adding that she had the chance to view the software herself.
City Council President Mike McDermott said he initially supported a two-year trial but now believes that vote was a mistake.
In a statement, McDermott said he opposes continued use of the cameras, citing privacy and constitutional concerns, including worries about corporate data-sharing practices and access by outside agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
McDermott also credited residents and local advocacy groups, including DeFlock Michigan and the Socialists of Western-Wayne, for repeatedly raising concerns at council meetings. While he acknowledged police view the cameras as a useful investigative tool, he said residents shouldn’t “be monitored everywhere we…
