10/14/2026
**FLOCK CAMERAS IN INKSTER: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED**
We know residents have questions about Flock cameras, privacy and surveillance — especially as some other communities have reconsidered their use of this technology.
Those questions are fair.
But Inkster’s public-safety needs are also different from those of many surrounding communities.
Inkster is a small city with limited resources. At the time of our recent press conference, the Inkster Police Department was budgeted for 30 officers and had 26 officers on staff. Technology like Flock gives those officers another tool to investigate crimes, respond faster and reduce how often the department must rely on neighboring agencies for assistance.
Here are answers to some of the questions residents are asking:
**Q: Are Flock cameras being used to constantly watch Inkster residents?**
**A:** No. The City's stated purpose is public safety — not general surveillance.
For example, the license plate reader system captures a vehicle at a specific place and time. It does not identify who is driving the vehicle or who is inside it. The Police Department has also said much of the information collected is never viewed by a person unless it becomes relevant to a criminal investigation.
**Q: Can an officer just type in someone's license plate because they are curious about where that person has been?**
**A:** No. That would be considered misuse.
Inkster Police said officers must be working an active investigation and must enter a case number and a reason for searching the system. An officer cannot legally use the system simply to see where a friend, spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend or another individual has been.
**Q: What happens if someone misuses the system?**
**A:** Searches are subject to review. Inkster is also using an audit-assistance tool designed to flag potential misuse for administrator review.
The Police Chief stated that protecting the public's trust is important enough that an employee found intentionally abusing the system could lose their job.
**Q: How long does Flock keep the information?**
**A:** Generally, 30 days.
After 30 days, the data is permanently deleted unless information has been preserved as evidence connected to an active investigation, prosecution or possible court appeal. In those cases, only the information associated with that specific case would be retained as evidence.
**Q: Who owns Inkster's Flock data?**
**A:** The City of Inkster controls its data.
According to information presented at the press conference, the City determines which law-enforcement agencies may have access and for what purposes. Those sharing permissions can also be changed or revoked.
**Q: Has this technology actually helped solve crimes in Inkster?**
**A:** Yes. Inkster Police shared several recent examples.
Flock was used to help identify a vehicle connected to a sexual assault investigation, locate suspects involved in shootings, recover a stolen vehicle and apprehend a shooting suspect who was driving it.
In another recent shooting, approximately 12 shots were fired in a residential neighborhood while children were outside. No resident initially called 911 — but gunshot detection had already alerted officers and they were on their way. Investigators later combined neighborhood and business video with Flock information to identify and locate a suspect.
**Q: Does Flock replace traditional police investigation?**
**A:** No.
Police emphasized that Flock is **one piece of the investigative puzzle**. Investigators still have to verify information, collect additional evidence and establish the legal basis necessary to seek warrants or criminal charges.
**Q: What about gunshot detection?**
**A:** The system is designed to recognize the audio signature of possible gunfire and analyze whether the sound is consistent with a gunshot or something such as fireworks before alerting police.
**Q: How will residents know how this technology is being used?**
**A:** Transparency is an important part of the City's plan.
Inkster announced that a public transparency portal is being developed to show residents information including policies, usage information, statistics, data-sharing details, safeguards and examples of how the technology has been used.
**Q: Why is Inkster embracing this technology when some other cities are moving away from it?**
**A:** Because Inkster has to make decisions based on **Inkster's needs**.
Our police department has limited staffing and resources while responding to very real public-safety challenges. City officials say Flock has already helped officers investigate serious crimes, locate suspects more quickly and handle cases without relying as heavily on neighboring departments.
That does **not** mean residents should stop asking questions about privacy.
It means the City has a responsibility to balance privacy, accountability and transparency with its responsibility to keep people safe — and to put safeguards in place so technology is used for its intended purpose.
**Still have questions?**
We want you to ask them.
The next Inkster City Council meeting is **Monday, October 19**, and City Council meetings are open to the public. Come hear more, ask questions and be part of the conversation.
Public safety and civil liberties should not be competing conversations. Inkster's goal is to use technology responsibly, transparently and in a way that helps protect the people who live here.
