Are These Genesee County Devices Keeping You Safe, Or Exposing You?

Genesee County didn’t terminate its contract with Flock Safety this week, but commissioners also chose not to renew it. Instead, they hit pause, citing unresolved concerns about data ownership, access, and long-term use.

Why Genesee County Commissioners Decided to Slow Things Down with Flock

County commissioners delayed action on contracts covering 30 Flock license plate-reading cameras after questions arose about who ultimately controls the data collected by the system, and where that data could end up. Commissioner Shaun Shumaker acknowledged the technology’s value to law enforcement but said the potential privacy implications deserve closer scrutiny.

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Flock cameras capture more than just license plate numbers. Each scan can include a vehicle’s make, model, location, and movement over time. Law enforcement views this as a powerful investigative tool. Some residents see it as a detailed record of daily travel.

The Benefits Police Point To and the Concerns Genesee County Residents Raise

Sheriff Chris Swanson and local police agencies say the cameras have already helped recover stolen vehicles, locate missing children, and solve serious crimes. Those benefits are not in dispute. The concern is not how the system is being used now, but how it could be used in the future.

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Questions about possible data sharing with federal agencies, including Homeland Security and ICE, have lingered since last year, despite Flock saying it does not sell or share customer data and that local agencies control access. Those assurances were challenged when a Genesee County resident requested Flock data through a Freedom of Information Act appeal and was denied. The explanation given was that the county does not own the data, despite the cameras operating locally and being accessible by the Sheriff’s Office.

Why This Debate is Happening Statewide, Not Just Locally

Genesee County is not alone. Bay City rejected a similar contract, and Kalamazoo residents have raised similar concerns. The ACLU has warned that license plate reader systems could evolve into a broader surveillance network without clear safeguards.

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For now, commissioners say they need more clarity before moving forward. Shumaker has said he could still support renewal, but only if data security, ownership, and access questions are clearly answered.