Madison Heights has begun disconnecting its city-operated Flock cameras and will not renew its contract with the company when it expires, officials have announced.
The Michigan city previously operated three automated licence plate reader cameras. Officials said the devices were covered and taken out of active use on 23 September, with no new data collected since then.
The decision followed an extended review of the programme, including concerns about privacy, accountability and the safeguards governing how information gathered by the cameras could be used.
Madison Heights said it had delayed a final decision while waiting for Flock Safety to provide assurances that appropriate controls were in place. The company was unable to address the city’s concerns or provide the requested guarantees, officials said.
The city said it would proceed with permanently disconnecting the cameras, while stressing that it remained committed to public safety and to assessing technology responsibly.
Officials also clarified that some businesses and other organisations in Madison Heights have separate agreements with Flock Safety. Those privately operated cameras are not managed by the city and are unaffected by the decision.
