Another Metro Detroit community is considering legislation to restrict or ban use of AI-enabled automated license plate readers.
During Tuesday's St. Clair Shores council meeting, more than a dozen residents spoke in support of either temporary or permanent restrictions on the cameras.
The devices, manufactured and operated by Flock Safety, have become a hot-button issue, prompting conversations about privacy, data retention and law enforcement access to the information collected by the cameras. Several communities have already taken steps to curb their use.
More: Flock police contract cancellations gain steam in Metro Detroit
In April 2025, the St. Clair Shores City Council approved a five-year contract with Flock Safety for 12 cameras around the city at an annual cost of $36,000, according to C&G News.
At least two council members supported legislation Tuesday to limit Flock's reach. Council member Candice B. Rusie said she is concerned about outside law enforcement agencies accessing information collected by St. Clair Shores' cameras.
More than 180 law enforcement agencies in Michigan use Flock license plate readers, according to the company.
"Our directive doesn't govern how other jurisdictions' officers access our data," Rusie said. "… We have the most perfect policy, with teeth, with enforcement, and the most perfect officers, but it doesn't matter, given we're opening up our data to over 180 jurisdictions in Michigan, and who knows what policy they have (or) how it's enforced."
Proponents say Flock cameras help law enforcement solve crimes faster and more efficiently. While St. Clair Shores residents said they support their Police Department, they're concerned Flock camera use sacrifices too much privacy for safety.
More: Growth of license plate readers fuels Michigan push to limit their use
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"Mass surveillance does not make communities safer. It turns every citizen into a suspect while handing unchecked tracking power to government agencies," said resident Ronald Warren.
In the past year, Metro Detroit communities including Clawson, Ferndale, Milford, Sumpter Township and Westland have voted to end their Flock contracts.
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners voted last week to terminate use of county-funded Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras.
St. Clair Shores didn't take any official action Tuesday, but Mayor Kip C. Walby said he would speak with administrators and police, and provide an update on Flock usage and the city's agreement at council's next meeting,
"I think it is important that we codify some of this … I wouldn't even be opposed to something in our charter that concerns surveillance cameras," said council member Chris Vitale. "And I definitely do not want to see them used in code enforcement, or assessment …"
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This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: St. Clair Shores weighs restrictions on Flock license plate cameras