County adopts resolution on plate reader regulations
Vote was 4-1
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HOUGHTON -- The Houghton County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 to adopt a resolution urging state lawmakers to finalize regulatory boundaries on automated surveillance networks before local contracts are considered.
During its October meeting Tuesday, the Board approved Resolution #26-28, a citizen-led measure brought forward by resident Katie LaCosse regarding the implementation of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs).
According to the county board packets, the resolution formally signals support for Michigan House Bill No. 5492, which seeks to regulate the use of ALPR systems by private entities and control how captured license plate data is utilized. The measure concurrently supports companion House Bill No. 5493, which targets the use of ALPR infrastructure by state and local governmental entities.
Commissioner Glenn Anderson introduced the motion to adopt the resolution, which was seconded by Commissioner Gretchen Janssen. Commissioner Joel Keranen cast the lone dissenting vote.
The text of the resolution asserts that the mass, indiscriminate tracking of motorist movements without active suspicion or a judicial warrant conflicts with fundamental constitutional privacy rights. Under the resolution's guidelines, the county advises against entering into corporate public surveillance contracts, such as those provided by Flock Safety, until the state legislature enacts these pending regulatory policies.
During the board discussion, LaCosse addressed the board, suggesting it oppose for-profit ALPR systems in the county until the bills become law, and the agencies using the systems have adopted a public policy to not approve any ALPR contract until then, instead seeking alternatives, and to ensure ALPR data is never available to federal immigration enforcement, and any agreement must include enforceable rules for them to act.
Board Chairman Tom Tikkanen permitted LaCosse to finish her remarks but subsequently cautioned her that she would not be permitted to interrupt active board meetings in that manner in the future.
Prior to the final vote, the board amended the resolution to remove specific language that would have banned local databases from being accessed by federal immigration enforcement agencies, including ICE and the U.S. Border Patrol.
Houghton County Sheriff Joshua Saarinen was absent from the session due to illness. However, in an administrative communication submitted to the board via Commissioner Roy Britz, Saarinen indicated that while ALPR technology serves as a valuable investigative tool, Houghton County has not utilized the systems in the past and maintains no plans to implement them in the future.