In Our opinion … City needs to be on guard over privacy rights

How do you balance public safety with protecting your personal information?
That is the crux of the ongoing argument regarding the use of license plate readers known as the Flock system.
Hamtramck has these cameras in place now, and, recently, the city council OK’d the purchase of several more.
But there were a number of residents who urged the city council to reject the use of the Flock cameras, for fear that the network of cameras are spying on us, collecting personal information, and recording our comings and goings.
These are not outrageous concerns in this day and age of sophisticated surveillance technology.
We share those concerns.
The police department has repeatedly assured the public that the cameras do only one thing: read license plates. And, with that information, the department can identify stolen cars or suspects on the run, using the vehicle’s license plate to help investigators track them down.
Still, we side with those voices urging caution and concern.
In Hamtramck, there has not yet been an issue raised by anyone, that we know of, claiming the Flock system was used for invading their privacy.
With that in mind, we simply urge caution and constant vigilance in the use of these cameras, and keep open the option of rejecting the cameras down the road.
Posted May 1, 2026