Eastpointe cancels Flock license plate reader contract

Eastpointe city leaders voted 4-1 on September 15, 2026 to terminate the city’s contract with Flock Safety for automated license plate readers. The 19 Flock cameras operating across the five-square-mile city will be removed. Mayor Michael Klinefelt said he weighed the tool’s usefulness against resident concerns about being tracked without a warrant. Council member Rob Baker dissented, citing crimes solved with the system. City Manager Ryan Madis said the technology can be misused and needs better guardrails.