Genesee County Delays Decision on Controversial Flock Cameras

Public opposition leads officials to postpone vote on surveillance technology

Feb. 5, 2026 at 11:07pm

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The Genesee County Board of Commissioners has postponed a decision on whether to continue using Flock cameras, a surveillance technology that captures vehicle details to aid law enforcement. The move comes after strong public opposition was voiced at a recent meeting, with residents raising concerns about privacy and data collection.

Why it matters

The Flock camera debate in Genesee County highlights the ongoing tension between public safety and individual privacy rights. As more communities consider adopting such surveillance technologies, this case illustrates the importance of carefully weighing the potential benefits and risks through public input and transparent decision-making.

The details

The Flock cameras are currently installed throughout Genesee County and are funded by a grant. At a recent meeting, residents expressed concerns about the cameras, with one stating, "I don't think this is good for the U.S. I don't think it's good for Michigan. I certainly don't think it's good for Genesee County." Another resident, who initially supported the cameras, now opposes them due to privacy concerns. Capt. Jason Murphy of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office stated that the cameras do not have facial recognition capabilities and are not intended to surveil innocent people, but Commissioner Shaun Shumaker warned, "I don't want to see a big brother state. Are you willing to give up our freedoms for just a little bit of security?"

  • The Genesee County Board of Commissioners postponed the decision on February 6, 2026.
  • The board will revisit the proposals on March 11, 2026.

The players

Genesee County Board of Commissioners

The governing body of Genesee County, Michigan, responsible for making decisions on the use of Flock cameras in the county.

Flock Safety

The company that provides the surveillance cameras being considered by Genesee County. Flock Safety released a statement emphasizing that customers fully own and control their data, and that the company never sells data.

Capt. Jason Murphy

An officer with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office who stated that the Flock cameras do not have facial recognition capabilities and are not intended to surveil innocent people.

Commissioner Shaun Shumaker

A member of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners who expressed concerns about the cameras, stating, "I don't want to see a big brother state. Are you willing to give up our freedoms for just a little bit of security?"

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What they’re saying

“I don't think this is good for the U.S. I don't think it's good for Michigan. I certainly don't think it's good for Genesee County.”

— Unnamed Resident

“We're not trying to surveil innocent people. There's no facial recognition on these cameras.”

— Capt. Jason Murphy, Genesee County Sheriff's Office

“I don't want to see a big brother state. Are you willing to give up our freedoms for just a little bit of security?”

— Commissioner Shaun Shumaker, Genesee County Board of Commissioners

What’s next

The Genesee County Board of Commissioners will revisit the proposals on March 11, 2026 to make a final decision on the use of Flock cameras in the county.

The takeaway

The debate over Flock cameras in Genesee County highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing public safety and individual privacy rights. As more communities consider adopting surveillance technologies, this case underscores the importance of transparent decision-making and incorporating robust public input to ensure a balanced approach that respects both community security and civil liberties.