Documented Incident
Lincoln Park, Michigan council votes unanimously to disable all Flock cameras pending review
Event: September 28, 2026 · First reported: September 30, 2026 · 6 sources
The Lincoln Park City Council voted unanimously on Sept. 28, 2026 to disable the city's Flock Safety license plate readers until two city commissions complete reviews, and all operating cameras have since been covered. A resolution read by Mayor Maureen Tobin said the devices raise serious concerns about privacy rights and possible constitutional violations, and noted that vandalism has added to operating costs. Police Chief Scott Lavis said the city has had 24 cameras since 2022 and described the system as useful in investigations ranging from shootings and hit-and-runs to missing-person cases.
Lincoln Park joins a growing list of Detroit-area municipalities reconsidering ALPR contracts, and its review will test whether a city can exit a multi-year Flock agreement before it expires.
Key facts
- Council vote was unanimous on Sept. 28, 2026; all operating cameras have been shrouded pending review.
- The city has 24 cameras dating to 2022; eight were vandalized and inoperable in recent months, with no suspects identified, per Chief Lavis.
- Lincoln Park pays Flock $60,000 annually under a five-year contract expiring in December 2028.
- Since 2022 the city has directed $203,455 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds to the service, which some residents argue should have gone to water infrastructure.
- The Public Safety Commission and Community Improvement Commission will review the program over several months, including whether the contract can be terminated early.
Timeline
- September 30, 2026Lincoln Park covers Flock cameras; council cites ‘constitutional’ concerns
- October 1, 2026Lincoln Park pulls plug on Flock cameras
Sources
This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.
- Lincoln Park covers Flock cameras; council cites ‘constitutional’ concerns (thenewsherald.com, September 30, 2026)
- Lincoln Park Shrouds Flock Cameras After Vandalism, Privacy Backlash (Hoodline, October 1, 2026)
- Lincoln Park pulls plug on Flock cameras (ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4, October 1, 2026)
- Lincoln Park covers Flock license plate readers amid privacy concerns (ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4, September 30, 2026)
- Lincoln Park covers Flock license plate readers amid privacy concerns (clickondetroit.com, September 30, 2026)
- Lincoln Park covers Flock license plate readers amid privacy concerns (ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4, September 30, 2026)
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About this record
BlockFlockNow documents reported incidents involving Flock Safety cameras and automated license plate readers: council votes, contract decisions, misuse by authorized users, lawsuits, audits, and community response. Every record is reviewed by a person before publication. New to the topic? Start with What is Flock?, find meetings near you, or learn how to request your town's camera records.
Updated October 4, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.