Written by Tanya Terry
Featured photo: At a March 8 press conference, Todd Womack argued that even for the law-abiding, being tracked at all times is an invasion inconsistent with the American values of liberty, autonomy and the pursuit of happiness. Photo courtesy of Flint Alliance for Immigrant Rights (FAIR).
During the March 11 Genesee County Board of Commissioners committee meeting, the board voted to move two proposals concerning whether to continue and expand the use of Flock Safety license plate reading cameras locally to the full board.
However, Commissioner Charles Winfrey stressed this was done with the agreement to draft an amendment to state that there would be safeguards put in place for any federal agents requesting data. These agents would have to have a warrant signed by the proper judicial authority in order to receive the data, except in extenuating circumstances.
“For instance, if there was a kidnapping and the FBI was trying to rescue the person kidnapped, that would be an extenuating circumstance because you wouldn’t want to delay the process of getting a warrant,” said Winfrey. “Urgency would matter.”
The cameras are used to track license plates and intended to help police solve crimes. Automated license plate reader systems, such as those produced by Flock Safety, capture license plate numbers, vehicle images, locations and timestamps for every vehicle that passes within view.
Some people in the local community have shared they feel the cameras help improve public safety.
However, other community members, as well as advocates across the country had previously stated concerns about privacy and the fairness of using such cameras. Another major concern was that the cameras potential for targeting of vulnerable communities.
At a March 8 press conference organized by Flint Alliance for Immigrant Rights (FAIR) that other community members and partner organizations also attended, Taylor Sampson said the cameras have been known to make mistakes, leading to wrongful stops, armed police response and detainment.
Sampson continued: “One Colorado case involved a mistaken vehicle with a mother and her kids. They were pulled over by gunpoint and forced to lay on the hot pavement. Due to the error in the Flock system, their experience led to a $1.9 million settlement…”
A local contract for 20 cameras auto-renewed in October 2025. Commissioners have been debating the $60,000 cost to keep them running through September 2026, along with hearing community concerns.
An additional proposal to use a $30,000 federal grant to add 10 more cameras through 2027 will also be voted on.
Todd Womack questioned the cameras effectiveness for reducing crime at the recent press conference.
“Flock Safety cameras and similar license plate recognition systems can assist law enforcement and provide forensic evidence, sometimes correlated with reductions in certain crimes,” Womack said. “However, rigorous, independent research showing sustained, statistically significant reductions in overall crime due solely to Flock cameras in residential communities is limited.”
Commissioner Dale Weighill confirmed the cameras have been in the county for about four years already.
Winfrey asked Captain Jason Murphy with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department if he could provide metrics that indicate the effectiveness of the Flock cameras
Murphy replied that the Sheriff’s Department recovered about 94 stolen vehicles since last fiscal year based off Flock hits.
“The year before it was 173 just off Flock hits,” Murphy added.
Murphy stated there was a a homicide in Fenton Township.
He added: “A neighbor heard what they thought was a firecracker. Later, the father discovered his son deceased. We were able to go door to door. We had a description of the vehicle: an orange Camaro. We typed that in. We were able to find a hit, get the license plate, then we determined who that was registered to.
“…it just shows us the vehicle, that picture. It does not give us any information about who owns it, where they live, their driving record, if they have warrants. That does not show up on there.
“But we did get a license plate. We searched that, located a individual in Detroit with that. That led us to taking him into custody and he confessed to this homicide.”
Board members asked additional questions and expressed their strong belief that the amendment put forth by Commissioner Dale Weighill will help address community concerns, while helping to keep community members safer.
Corporation counsel will be drafting the amendment.
“Based on the affirmative votes to move it to the full board, it is likely to be approved,” said Winfrey regarding the Flock resolutions.
