Summary
After public testimony about the Flock license-plate-reader contract being kept just under the $100,000 threshold, the commission adopted Option C requiring commission review of identification and tracking technology contracts regardless of cost or department.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 13
- Last 30 days
- 0
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Sep 21, 2026.
Impact analysis
The policy itself has no cost, but it subjects contracts like the ~$100,000 Flock renewal to public review.
Residents concerned about privacy and transparency get a public say on surveillance contracts.
Those who argued the change is rushed or unfairly targets public safety staff, including Commissioners Hoffman and Praedel.
Mentions & discussions (15)
City Commission - Sep 21, 2026
After public testimony about the Flock license-plate-reader contract being kept just under the $100,000 threshold, the commission adopted Option C requiring commission review of identification and tracking technology contracts regardless of cost or department.
City Commission - Sep 8, 2026
The Commission is deciding how broadly to require its own approval of surveillance tech contracts — just license plate readers, all law enforcement surveillance, or any identification/tracking technology. The vote was postponed two weeks so the city attorney can redraft with input from Slaby and Duncan.
City Commission - Aug 17, 2026
Speaker after speaker demanded the city end its Flock license plate camera contracts, citing ICE fears, data sharing with state police, and contracts structured at $99,900 to dodge commission votes. The commission directed staff to write a policy requiring a commission vote before any ALPR contract renewal — but didn't vote to end the existing contract.
City Commission - Aug 10, 2026
Speakers said KDPS's Flock license plate camera network ran 140,000 searches in six months, two-thirds by outside agencies, with 90% of the city's own searches lacking case numbers. They're demanding a public vote on the contract and planning an August 17 protest.
How is Kalamazoo using Flock cameras? Newly released records offer a rare look
How is Kalamazoo using Flock cameras? Newly released records offer a rare look MLive.com
City Commission - Jul 20, 2026
Testimony split sharply: some Northside residents credit the cameras with reducing crime and gun violence, while critics raised privacy, ICE data-sharing, equity of placement, and claims that a contract extension was signed without a commission vote.
Kalamazoo public safety refuses to release Flock camera access logs amid public backlash
Kalamazoo public safety refuses to release Flock camera access logs amid public backlash MLive.com
City Commission - Jul 6, 2026
Multiple speakers with the 'Get the Flock Out of Kalamazoo' campaign demanded the city release its Flock Safety contract and search logs, citing an ATF agent's use of Kalamazoo cameras for an immigration warrant search and February 2025 terms-of-service changes giving Flock broad data licenses. One speaker — later revealed to be a commissioner's account of the underlying investigation — demanded the contract be terminated and cameras removed.
City Commission - Jun 15, 2026
Northside residents told the Commission that 24-hour surveillance cameras with flashing blue lights are next to homes, frightening children and disrupting sleep — and asked for them to be removed. Another Northside resident pushed back, saying she wants the same security downtown enjoys.
City Commission - Apr 20, 2026
Nearly 20 residents weighed in on the city's Flock ALPR cameras. Supporters, including NAACP, Pastors on Patrol, and NACD leaders, credited the cameras with solving homicides and recovering missing children; opponents raised privacy, ICE data-sharing, and cybersecurity concerns. No vote was taken, but commissioners signaled interest in a community forum.
City Commission - Mar 16, 2026
A resident urged the Commission to eliminate Flock safety cameras, arguing they enable mass surveillance, could be accessed by federal immigration authorities, and have been used to track people seeking abortion care.
City Commission - Mar 2, 2026
Residents Kim Janes and Justin Suarez urged the commission to publicly oppose federal immigration enforcement, end any law enforcement cooperation with DHS/ICE, and consider suspending Flock license plate camera data sharing with federal authorities. The COPS grant item was also pulled from the agenda the same night.
City Commission - Feb 16, 2026
A resident warned that Flock camera data is being accessed by hundreds of state and federal agencies nationwide and asked the city to turn off its cameras.
City Commission - Feb 2, 2026
Residents repeatedly demanded removal of the Flock license plate reader cameras, citing data sharing with federal agencies and ICE. Chief Boysen countered with data on 23 homicides solved and large drops in gun violence and auto theft since 2021.
City Commission - Jan 26, 2026
Multiple speakers demanded the city cancel contracts with Flock Safety and remove the cameras, arguing the data could be used by federal immigration authorities. City Manager Hankins clarified that KDPS cameras are not accessible to ICE under any circumstances, but the cameras remain in place.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for Kalamazoo
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.