News Summary
The police departments of Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo have rejected allegations of using license plate readers (LPRs) for immigration enforcement. These clarifications followed social media claims that law enforcement was conducting unauthorized searches related to immigration violations via the Flock database. Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom emphasized that LPRs are not being used for immigration-related investigations, while Kalamazoo Police Chief David Boysen confirmed a suspension of external agency access to their LPR data. The departments aim to ensure transparency amid rising concerns about surveillance technology misuse.
Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo police departments have denied the allegations of using license plate readers (LPRs) for immigration enforcement following a social media post that suggested otherwise. The clarifications were made public on June 6, 2023, amidst concerns raised by Zach Lassiter, who shared audits claiming that police were unlawfully conducting searches related to immigration violations through the Flock database.
One of the spreadsheets highlighted searches by a Grand Rapids police member that supposedly pertained to a “deportation warrant.” In response to these claims, Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom emphasized that no officers are utilizing LPRs for immigration-related investigations and characterized the shared data as inaccurate. Similarly, Kalamazoo Public Safety Chief David Boysen acknowledged that the posts by Lassiter revealed that other external agencies had accessed Kalamazoo’s license plate data for immigration purposes.
In light of these findings, Kalamazoo police have suspended all external agency access to their LPR systems, although public safety departments within Kalamazoo County will still have the ability to utilize these resources. The Flock ALPR system enables law enforcement officers to search license plates based on defined time frames and reasons; however, it does not provide any information about the drivers or details of vehicle registrations.
Zach Lassiter has raised valid concerns regarding potential misuse of surveillance technology in the absence of adequate privacy protections. He expressed appreciation for Chief Boysen’s decision to restrict data access to external entities. The Flock company stated that their LPR data is accessible nationwide to participating police departments that agree to share information.
The Grand Rapids Police Department’s policy explicitly refrains from enforcing federal civil immigration laws, clearly delineating their function from that of a federal immigration enforcement agency. In Kalamazoo, 35 Flock cameras have been installed to support criminal investigations, particularly in combating gun violence and recovering stolen vehicles. Notably, the use of these cameras has been credited with assisting in solving three homicide cases in Kalamazoo since their introduction last June.
The LPR cameras used in Kalamazoo capture every passing license plate and retain images for a period of 30 days before they are deleted. However, there is currently no signage indicating to drivers that they are being recorded, which has raised additional inquiries into the transparency of the program. In response, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is implementing measures designed to enhance transparency regarding the use of surveillance technologies.
A spokesperson for Flock indicated that while their data collection can provide valuable insights for law enforcement, they endorse the responsible utilization of their technology. The ongoing discussions about the applications of such surveillance technology, especially regarding privacy and transparency, are increasingly relevant across various regions. These issues have sparked a broader debate concerning the ethics and regulations surrounding surveillance practices in modern policing.
As communities continue to grapple with the implications of surveillance technology, both Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are navigating the balance between effective law enforcement and the protection of individual privacy rights. The situation remains fluid as local authorities evaluate their policies and practices in light of these emerging concerns.
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Additional Resources
- MLive: Questions arise over license plate readers and immigration checks in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo
- Wikipedia: License Plate Recognition
- AL.com: Huntsville-born Software Engineer mapping license plate readers nationwide
- Google Search: License Plate Readers
- MLive: 35 police-run cameras capturing license plate photos on Kalamazoo streets
- Google Scholar: Surveillance Technology
- Cleveland.com: Cleveland neighborhood debates using license plate readers as crime spikes
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Surveillance
- Syracuse.com: 26 cameras on major Syracuse streets could record thousands of license plate numbers daily
- Google News: License Plate Readers
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
