University of Michigan police deal for AI cameras was never used
A $127,500 contract for automated licence plate reader technology was signed but the equipment was never installed, according to the Times of India.
The University of Michigan Police Department (UMPD) signed a $127,500 contract with Flock Safety for 15 automated licence plate reader cameras, but the devices were never put into operation, according to the Times of India.
The agreement, signed on February 3, 2025, by procurement agent Jennifer Carr and Flock Safety general counsel Mark Smith, was not publicly announced at the time. The contract included 15 Falcon Flex cameras, software, artificial intelligence technology, and 15 battery packs.
The technology scans vehicle registration numbers and records details such as make, model, colour, and visible damage. While the cameras were designed to capture vehicles from the rear rather than monitor pedestrians, the deal included provisions for data sharing with third parties and law enforcement without a warrant under certain conditions.
Law professor Michael Steinberg expressed concern that the use of such technology could shift campus security from investigating suspects to collecting information about everyone. LSA senior Radha Tanner also questioned the potential for misuse due to a lack of regulation.
UMPD deputy chief of police Melissa Overton stated that the department chose Flock Safety to support legitimate investigative needs and public safety, noting the acquisition was not prompted by a specific security concern.
The revelation comes as the university modernises its security infrastructure and has recently removed certain restrictions on the use of surveillance cameras on campus.
