Flock Safety cameras read license plates. They photograph every car that passes — the plate, the make, the model, even the bumper stickers — and they put it all in a database police can search.

Many people nationwide are against this network of cameras. They’re worried about mass surveillance, privacy infringement and how cops might abuse them.

Many police and some local leaders say the surveillance technology reduces crime and helps solve investigations. So far, the research on that is mixed.

This week, Sterling Heights voted to renew its Flock contract. Inkster is moving forward with an expanded partnership with the security system. 

But other communities are pushing back.

Places like Clawson, St. Clair Shores and Madison Heights have recently canceled their Flock contracts or covered their cameras. Hazel Park could be next. 

Ferndale was one of the first cities in metro Detroit to cancel its Flock contract. Prasad Venugopal was part of that effort. He’s a member of the Ferndale Inclusion Network, the Block Flock national coalition, and he’s working with Hazel Park residents to remove Flock from that suburb. Venugopal spoke with The Metro‘s Robyn Vincent.

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

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