Pull to refresh
Logo
What Changed
Following Why Sign Up
Grand Rapids commission keeps Flock cameras, adds data-sharing restriction

Grand Rapids commission keeps Flock cameras, adds data-sharing restriction

Rule Changes Grand Rapids, MI local

A push to end the license plate reader contract failed at a workshop; officials instead restricted how police share the data.

Today: Effort to discontinue Flock fails

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Grand Rapids will keep its 31 Flock automated license plate readers after a City Commission workshop on Nov. 13, 2026, declined to end the contract. Commissioners instead added a restriction on how the police department shares Flock data with other agencies.

The contract, approved in January 2024 for up to $165,700, runs to 2027. The workshop leaves the cameras in place while changing one part of the program: data sharing.

Why it matters

The case shows how local surveillance programs can survive public backlash by changing data-sharing rules instead of canceling contracts.

Last Monday's email for Grand Rapids, MI

Sent Nov 9. It carried:

Get next Monday's: one short email a week. Free. Unsubscribe in one click.

Questions about this story

Free account needed to ask — your question is kept and asked for you right after sign-up. Answers are public.

No questions yet — be the first to ask.

Key Indicators

31
Flock cameras in Grand Rapids
The city has 31 Flock cameras at intersections.
$165,700
Contract cost cap
The commission approved the Flock contract in January 2024 for no more than this amount.
50
Residents who spoke against Flock
About 50 people opposed the cameras at an August 2026 commission meeting.
0
Documented officer misuse violations
Police said in August 2026 the department had zero violations in 14 years of using the technology.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

Sign up to generate historical perspectives on this story.

Log in Sign Up

People Involved

MK
Marshall Kilgore
Third Ward Commissioner, Grand Rapids City Commission
Pushed to discontinue Flock; the workshop outcome fell short of that goal
 Mark Washington
Mark Washington
City Manager, Grand Rapids
Said the city would reflect after the August hearing; the contract remains active
MM
Michael Maycroft
Deputy Chief, Grand Rapids Police Department
Defends Flock; says the department has had no misuse violations

Organizations Involved

Grand Rapids City Commission
Grand Rapids City Commission
Municipal legislative body
Kept Flock and added a data-sharing restriction

The commission sets Grand Rapids policy and controls the Flock contract.
Grand Rapids Police Department
Grand Rapids Police Department
Municipal Police Department
Uses 31 Flock cameras and defends the program

The department uses Flock cameras to track vehicles and investigate crimes.
Flock Safety
Flock Safety
Technology company
Provides Grand Rapids' license plate readers; contract runs to 2027

Flock Safety sells automated license plate readers and a data network that police use to search vehicle travel history.

Timeline

2012 November 2026

4 events Latest: Today
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Effort to discontinue Flock fails

    Today Workshop

    A workshop rejects ending the service and adds a restriction on data sharing.

  2. Residents pack meeting over Flock

    Public hearing

    About 50 residents oppose the cameras at a City Commission meeting.

  3. Commission approves Flock contract

    Contract

    The city approves a Flock contract for up to $165,700, expiring in 2027.

  4. Grand Rapids police begin using license plate readers

    Adoption

    The department starts using automated license plate readers, years before contracting with Flock.

Scenarios

1

Grand Rapids keeps Flock cameras through the 2027 contract

Likely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: City officials and the contract's 2027 expiration date

The Nov. 13 workshop did not end the contract. Unless a later vote reverses it, the 31 cameras remain through the term approved in 2024. The new restriction changes data sharing, not the cameras' presence.

2

Grand Rapids ends the Flock contract before it expires

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Residents and Commissioner Marshall Kilgore, who sought discontinuation

Kilgore's push failed at the workshop, but the commission could revisit the contract after the data-sharing restriction or when renewal comes up. A termination vote would require a commission majority.

3

Grand Rapids adopts a broader ALPR privacy ordinance

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Privacy advocates at the August hearing and commissioners weighing rules

The new data-sharing restriction could be followed by a formal ordinance covering retention, access and outside-agency requests. The August hearing focused on Fourth Amendment concerns and officer misuse.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2012-2024

Grand Rapids' pre-Flock license plate readers (2012-2024)

Grand Rapids police began using automated license plate readers in 2012. In January 2024, the city commission approved a Flock Safety contract for up to $165,700, expanding to 31 cameras.

Then

The city moved from older ALPR technology to Flock's network.

Now

The contract set a 2027 expiration and gave residents a clear target for privacy objections.

Why this matters now

The November 2026 fight is about a vendor contract inside a longer-running local surveillance program, not the city's first use of plate readers.

2026

Renton, Washington ends Flock contract (2026)

Renton ended its Flock Safety contract and removed the cameras, according to a GovTech headline listed with the Grand Rapids report.

Then

The cameras came down.

Now

The decision shows some cities reverse course after adopting Flock.

Why this matters now

It gives Grand Rapids commissioners an example of termination, even as their workshop kept the service.

Sources

(2)
WZZM 13 GovTech