Baraga County Continues to Mull Highway Cams

Baraga County residents again expressed concerns about the county’s proposed affiliation with a nationwide vehicle tracking network.

Representatives from Flock Security made a video appearance at last night’s county board meeting, trying to assuage concerns that the information collected could be abused.

Flock is proposing to set up video cameras on major highways at the county borders, to record the license plate numbers of vehicles that enter and leave. The cameras can also identify some physical features of vehicles, but are not capable of identifying people.

The cameras are used across the nation to help track suspects and fugitives, and resolve Amber Alert crises. Around 125 local governments in Michigan utilize the system, including several in the Upper Peninsula.

Concerns about the cost of the system have been somewhat alleviated. Flock Security has offered to waive the installation and set-up fee. Sheriff Joe Brogan said the first year’s operating costs of around $22,000 will be covered by a grant, with additional grants possible for future years.

Most citizens who spoke, though, remain concerned about how the data that’s collected will be used…

Here we’re talking about public highways, which, if you’re going one place or another, you cannot avoid, and most people consider that a privacy issue. It’s nobody’s business where I’m going, unless I am actually suspected of a crime.

The Flock representatives emphasized that the data collected would be owned and controlled by Baraga County. It could not be used without the county’s permission, and would be deleted after 30 days.

With chair Brad Dakota absent from the meeting, commissioners decided to delay a decision until they have a full board. They are also considering setting up a public meeting about the issue, to give residents on both sides more time to share their thoughts.

In other action last night, the commission voted to purchase a 2025 Ford Explorer equipped for use by the sheriff’s department. The $62,500 cost will be covered by a grant. The commissioners endorsed a resolution from Ontonagon County to oppose proposed federal government Medicaid cuts, but declined to support a resolution from Chippewa County to encourage Amtrak to establish passenger rail service across the Upper Peninsula through Wisconsin.