Westland's police department will not renew its contract with Flock Safety, the company behind AI-powered license plate reader cameras.

Watch Tiarra Braddock's video report: Westland police dropping Flock Safety camera contract amid privacy concerns

The city's two-year contract with Flock expires at the end of the month. The cameras capture license plate numbers to help police identify vehicles they believe are linked to crimes and investigations.

Some residents say the cameras help deter crime and keep the community safe, but others worry the technology goes too far and raises major privacy concerns.

Maya Lewis, a Westland resident, said the decision has mixed implications.

"I think it could be bittersweet. I think it's a good thing to have, but I understand where people are at with the privacy part," Lewis said.

Jandrea Kiester, who travels to Westland often, said she supports scaling back surveillance.

"I think we have more than enough surveillance going on. Some should be tamped down," Kiester said.

Westland resident Debbie Olson said she has no objections to the cameras.

"I don't have a problem with it I don't," Olson said. "I think it's probably more good than harm."

Councilwoman Melissa Sampey said city council was divided over whether to keep the camera system, with many residents raising concerns about who can access the data.

"Flock cam can actually be retrieved by anyone across the United States, so a lot of people that came to us were really concerned that their information was going to be accessed by anybody," Sampey said.

Sampey said Police Chief Kyle Dawley ultimately made the decision not to renew the contract after hearing from residents at city council meetings.

"The police chief obviously did his due diligence but ultimately, he was listening to individuals who came to the city council meeting," Sampey said.

Dawley released a statement about his decision:

The current contract with Flock ALPR expires at the end of this month. Police administration has had several conversations with councilmembers, including demonstrating how W.L.P.D. uses the technology, along with our agency specific policy governing its use. During these discussions, it became clear that Council is deeply split on this matter. Police administration and City Council have an exceptionally strong and collaborative professional partnership. Because of this highly valued partnership, the renewal contract will not be sent to Council seeking approval. W.L.P.D. is fortunate to have great support from Mayor Coleman and City Council as we move toward future progress.

Sampey said she is confident the city will remain safe without the Flock cameras.

"I think our officers do an amazing job," Sampey said. "It is an enhancement tool for technology, but our police department is equipped with anything that they need in terms of technology to make sure we are safe here in Westland."

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Saline Township officials are set to vote Wednesday evening on whether Oracle should receive a 12-year tax abatement for a data center project now estimated to cost more than $43 billion.

Watch Tiarra Braddock's video report: Saline Township to vote on 12-year tax break for Oracle's $43B data center project

The tech company is asking for a 50% reduction in real and personal property taxes. Supporters say the data center would pour money into the region and help position Michigan as a leader in AI technology, but some community members say a company of this size should not need tax incentives.

The township's attorney said Oracle's request is not unique it is part of a common state program used to attract large industrial and technology developments. The tax abatement would temporarily reduce some property taxes in exchange for the company making a major investment in the area.

Saline Township resident Kathryn Haushalter said she opposes the abatement.

"It doesn't seem logical that this billion-dollar project, multi-billion dollar project now is going to get a break and the regular people surrounding this project that are already going to have to deal with pollution, rising power costs we get no break," said Haushalter.

Haushalter said she hopes the trustees vote no.

"I do believe that they should vote no to send a message and let the chips fall where they may," said Haushalter.

Fellow Saline Township resident Jordan Kleinsmith said he is also holding out hope that the data center won't be completed.

Related Story: OpenAI CEO speaks on new data center in Saline Township OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks on new data center 'The Barn' in Saline Township

"The best case scenario, they don't get their abatement, they pull out and they go away," said Kleinsmith.

Kleinsmith said he wants to see the community continue to apply pressure.

"We would like to see continued pressure from the community," said Kleinsmith.

Oracle sent us this statement in regards to the abatement request:

Oracle is excited to grow in Michigan, a longtime powerhouse in manufacturing with a strong union workforce, and now a national leader in AI. The project is anticipated to generate billions of dollars of tax revenues, averaging more than $150 million per year for the better part of two decades, including tax revenue for Saline Township that will be roughly more than 2,000 times what it would have received had this remained farmland. We look forward to partnering with state and local leaders as we build in Michigan, fuel economic growth, create jobs, and deliver lasting benefits for the local community.

The Board of Trustees meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 8, at 7 p.m.

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Neighbors on Gaylord Street say they complained about smells and feral cats for years before officials acted.

Watch Tiarra Braddock's video report: Welfare check reveals deplorable conditions at Redford Township home

A welfare check at a Redford Township home on Gaylord Street uncovered deplorable living conditions and an unknown number of cats inside the residence.

Animal control and firefighters entered the home Thursday afternoon and found the property in deplorable condition. The homeowner was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Martez Moore, who has lived on Gaylord Street off West 8 Mile for 14 years, said he had been complaining to Redford Township officials for years about the smell and feral cats coming from the neighboring home.

"I felt like it was something deceased, feces, animal smell, just horrible," Moore said.

Moore said the odor was unlike anything he had experienced before.

"Like a smell I never smelt before, flies on the house, winter time, just horrible," Moore said.

Moore said he was not surprised by what officials found inside.

"I figured they were going to find out what I kept calling and complaining about; it just took some time," Moore said.

He described the homeowner as someone who rarely interacted with neighbors.

"He was just weird acting, you know, would come out, cut the grass, and then leave. That's it," Moore said.

Another longtime neighbor, Lorrie Jackson, said she rarely saw anyone at the home and had no idea cats were inside.

"You barely seen anyone come out of the house, so I didn't know if anyone was living here or if it was empty, so it was quite a shock to find that out," Jackson said.

Animal control will work with the Redford Township Building Department to clean up the property and rescue the cats.

Moore said he hopes the situation leads to lasting change at the home next door.

"It's probably going to take a lot to get it back together, but hopefully it won't be as bad," Moore said.

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Detroiters celebrated Juneteenth Friday from the riverfront to the heart of downtown, with two major festivals drawing crowds to Hart Plaza and Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park.

Watch Tiarra Braddock's video report: Hundreds celebrating Juneteenth in Downtown Detroit

The Hart of Detroit Festival featured live music, cultural programming, and vendors from Black-owned businesses.

Musical artists took the stage as the celebration was set to continue until midnight.

Joe Willie, an attendee at the festival, said, "I love to see my people out celebrating being free... I'm loving it."

Tahjee Washington, another attendee, said, "Music brings everybody together, so I'm glad this was an event that was held on this day."

June 19 honors the day the last enslaved people in America were set free.

Silver Moore, a Detroit resident, said, "We are celebrating Black people in this country, our freedom and our culture, and what better place to do that than Detroit, which I consider the capital of Blackness in America."

Shoppers at the festival were also able to support Black-owned businesses.

Penny Fombi, owner of Goddess Beads, said, "To see that everybody is supported and keeping the money flow within our people is great."

Across town at Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park, residents gathered along the Detroit Riverfront for a separate Juneteenth celebration that also featured Black-owned business vendors.

Damia Taylor, an attendee at the riverfront event, said, "It's a great day to get out and celebrate our freedom, what our ancestors have done, and look forward to the future of what we're going to do with our community."

Sirrita Darby, owner of Elevated Sillage, was among the vendors at the riverfront celebration.

Darby said, "Being a person here and being a vendor and giving back to the community and extending the economy. That is what Juneteenth is about."

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Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield launched her "Occupy the Summer" program Friday at the Andrew Butzel Recreation Center on the city's west side.

The kickoff comes weeks after multiple teen takeovers occurred downtown and on the city's west side, some of which turned violent, in stories 7 News Detroit has been following.

Watch Megan Lee's video report from the event below: Detroit leaders launch 'Occupy the Summer' program

"I think it's about playing a role in ensuring that young people have productive, safe, and enhancing places to keep themselves occupied," Sheffield said.

Watch Tiarra Braddock's video report from the event below: Mayor Sheffield launches Detroit's 'Occupy the Summer' program

Sheffield said she spoke directly with teens who participated in the takeovers before launching the program.

"We had the opportunity to engage with the teens who participated in the teen takeover, and what they expressed was a desire to have fun and engaging activities for them to be a part of the city's resurgence," Sheffield said.

Over the next 10 weeks, nine recreation centers will stay open late with events including late-night basketball and other activities.

7 News Detroit interview: Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield speaks ahead of Occupy the Summer kick off

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield speaks ahead of Occupy the Summer kick off

Extended recreation center hours are at Crowell, Adams Butzel, Kemeny, Farwell, Heilmann, Butzel Family, Coleman Young, Helen Moore and Northwest Activities Center on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. All nine locations will remain open until 11 p.m. throughout the summer.

Weekly Friday Activations in neighborhoods across each city council district, similar to the Occupy the Corner series, featuring community activities, city resources, local vendors and cultural programming.

RELATED STORY: Another so-called 'teen takeover' happened in downtown Detroit Another so-called 'teen takeover' happened in downtown Detroit

The summer Friday lineup will run Fridays at 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.:

June 19 - Juneteenth Celebration / Crowell Recreation Center July 10 - Skate Night with Royal Skateland / Corrigan Park July 17 - Sports Night / Lasky Recreation Center July 19 (Sunday) - HOOPFEST in Partnership w/NW Goldberg Cares/Curtis Jones Park July 24 - Small Business and Sheff Tank Pitch Competition / TBD July 31 - Arts & Culture Night / TBD August 7 - Bike Night / Joe Louis Greenway Pavillion August 14 - Finale in Partnership with Metro Detroit Youth Day / Diehl Club Watch 7 News Detroit reporter Megan Lee's report on the bike giveaway: Bike giveaway kicks off Mayor Sheffield's 'Occupy the Summer' program

Not all residents are convinced the program will be enough. Detroit resident Darryl Taylor questioned whether teens would show up.

"How many young folks are going to play basketball at that time of night. I think we have to come up with a better plan," Taylor said.

Detroit resident Kim Bell said change needs to come from at home first.

"A lot of people don't understand when it comes to children and the troubles they're having, it starts at home," Bell said.

Other residents are more optimistic.

"I like her plans for it, gives them something to do. Keep them off the streets and keeps them occupied with something that's positive," Pamela Richardson of Detroit said.

Sheffield said the program extends beyond activities, offering support resources for parents as well.

"We have wrap-around services on site, so whether it's job information, housing information, utility assistance information, and several city apartments that will be on-site," Sheffield said.

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Nearly 60,000 drivers will be impacted daily as new ramp closures on I-94 at Southfield Freeway take effect starting at 9 a.m. Monday as part of MDOT's "Restore I-94" project.

Watch reports from Tiarra Braddock and Ryan Marshall below I-94 and Southfield Freeway ramp closures begin Monday, affecting nearly 60,000 daily drivers Ramp closures begin for restore I-94 project

Eastbound I-94 ramps to northbound and southbound Southfield Freeway will be closed, along with westbound I-94 ramps to northbound and southbound Southfield Freeway.

MDOT spokesperson Diane Cross says the closures are part of a broader construction effort.

"So this project includes lots of different types of work, some of it's reconstructing the freeway itself, some of it's bridge work, some of it's ramp work and concrete repair," Cross said.

Cross offered detour options for drivers navigating the construction.

"We want you to take either Michigan Avenue to go west and use that between 94, Telegraph, maybe to Michigan Avenue, although we do have some work going on at Telegraph in that area so you're down to one lane," Cross said.

Cross says drivers should expect heavier traffic on those alternate roads while the closures are in effect.

Dearborn resident Londa Hoskins says she is already feeling the strain of construction in the area.

"Can't get around now, I'm taking side streets, and it's get packed and packed, it's like we're not going to be able to go nowhere," Hoskins said.

"Everybody is trying to maneuver and get where they got to go but it's making it hard for everybody," Hoskins said.

Romulus driver Stepfanie Marcum echoed that frustration.

"It's frustrating, it's very frustrating," Marcum said.

Dearborn driver Matia Burch says she already has her alternate routes mapped out.

"I plan to take Van Born, Michigan Ave, just take the side streets as much as I can. I live off of Telegraph, so I avoid Telegraph so just knowing your way around and taking the side streets, you get there a little bit quicker," Burch said.

Cross says MDOT is hoping to have the ramps reopened within a year, meaning drivers should be prepared for a long-term disruption.

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Livonia police have arrested the suspect behind two attempted home invasions in the Laurel Park neighborhood.

Police announced the arrest on June 6 after investigators identified and located the person who had been seen wearing a white protective-style jumpsuit attempting to enter two homes.

Formal charges are pending from the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.

The 2 break-in attempts occurred less than a mile apart. The first was reported on May 13, 2026, and a second related incident followed on May 14, 2026. During the investigation, a neighbor told police the suspect dropped his white paint suit in their trash can, where officers recovered it as evidence.

Victoria Williams says she was at her home off Newburgh Road on the morning of May 13 when she saw the man walking around her house wearing white coveralls, a mask, and a ball cap. She went outside to confront him and called 911.

"I said what are you doing? Like can I help you? He had a mask on and I couldn't really understand him, something about checking something," Williams said.

As Williams stayed on the phone with 911, she and the man got into a physical struggle.

"He was trying to get out of our fence and I'm standing there with 911 and he grabs me by the neck of my shirt and started pushing me backwards and I'm yelling 911 like on the phone, like just send help. I need help, he has his hand on me," Williams said.

The man eventually let go of Williams and ran down the street.

"He pushed me toward the side of my neighbors house," Williams said.

The homeowners shared Ring doorbell video showing the man outside the home, peering into windows and sliding open a door. After Williams posted the video on social media, people commented that they had seen the man jump over her fence.

Williams says the experience shook her sense of security.

"No, not at all, I've always felt safe here and now I don't," Williams said.

Her mother, Kim Williams, says she is grateful her daughter is OK.

"Heart-wrenching to get a call, I'm in Dearborn now working and she said you need to get home now, someone tried to break into the house," Kim Williams said.

Victoria Williams urged neighbors to stay alert and report anything suspicious.

"Even if something looks out of place and you don't know, call the cops, someone said we saw him attempt before it happened, you could've called the cops and they could've responded before I got home," Williams said.

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Detroit's Grand Prix is drawing racing fans from across Michigan and beyond Friday, with "Free Prix Day" giving attendees a chance to experience the sights and sounds of professional racing at no cost.

Watch Tiarra Braddock's video report: Families flock downtown for Free Prix Day

Grandstands 1 and 9 are open for free seating on a first-come, first-served basis, and more than half the track offers public viewing along Jefferson Avenue and the riverfront. The event features IndyCar, IMSA, and Indy NXT racing in the heart of downtown Detroit.

A steady flow of fans made their way to the Grand Prix throughout the day, traveling from cities including Ann Arbor, Flint, Lenawee County, and Toledo.

Angie Boston and her boyfriend came from Ann Arbor to attend. The two had their first date at last year's Grand Prix and returned to celebrate their anniversary.

"We love free day here," Boston said. "We love coming down, we ride our bikes, we take the shuttle, we come up the river walk, and then we get the free stands."

She said Free Prix Day makes the Grand Prix accessible to people who want the experience without the cost.

"Free day to come and see everything, I want to bring my kid next year and take him out of school, he would enjoy this in the middle of the city," Boston said.

Michele Hanks, who came from Flint, said the atmosphere alone made the trip worthwhile.

"Just the sound of hearing the cars, it's exciting," Hanks said.

Heather Genereaux made the trip from Lenawee County with a friend.

"I'm a mom of five just trying to get out, get some good time in with my best friend," Genereaux said.

Beyond the racing, attendees can enjoy food vendors, purchase racing merchandise, and get a behind-the-scenes look at racing teams in action. Fans also have the opportunity to meet drivers on the course.

Brianna Marovich, who came from Toledo, said that access is a highlight of the event.

"I love going around meeting all the drivers and chatting it up with them," Marovich said.

The Grand Prix is also drawing younger fans. Gary Mercer, who came from Downriver, brought his kids to the event.

"The kids love it, they absolutely, he says, " Papa, I want to be a race car driver. Are you sure?" Mercer said.

"Free Prix Day" activities wrap up at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Friday. Grandstands reopen Saturday at 8 a.m.

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