In early August, the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) commenced a 90-day trial period for the use of Flock Safety’s license plate reader cameras as part of “Project Prove It.” The purpose of the trial, as described in a public statement from the OCSO, was “to evaluate how this technology may assist law enforcement in solving crimes, locating wanted individuals, and recovering stolen vehicles.” Following which, if determined effective for law enforcement, the sheriff’s office would purchase the cameras permanently. In the same statement it was noted that installation of permanent cameras would be made “independently by each participating community.”
However, the Flock Safety camera installation was met with significant public resistance. At their Aug. 13 regular meeting, the Oceana County Board of Commissioners heard public comments detailing concerns from residents and township officials.
Weare Township Supervisor Larry Doran was first to speak, explaining to commissioners that Weare Township was one of several townships that opted out of the Flock Safety program, and residents were shocked to see that the cameras were installed regardless.
Doran, representing the wishes of the Weare Township Board of Trustees, asked commissioners who was responsible for authorizing the contract with Flock Safety, to which he was informed by Chairman Robert Walker that the OCSO entered into the contract with approval from the county commissioners.
Doran then explained to the board that, following strong disapproval from residents and representatives of the township, “[Weare] Township is requesting that they come down in our area in the next week… otherwise I’ve been instructed to contact legal [counsel].”
In a follow-up interview after the meeting with Undersheriff Ryan Schiller, he said, " When this project was introduced, all townships and municipalities were provided a form and a self-addressed envelope to 'opt out.' Unfortunately, we never received the opt-out form indicating Weare Township did not wish to participate. We have listened to and responded to the wishes of the community. This is how local government is supposed to work. We introduced this project to the townships and municipalities in March of 2025 with tremendous support. We attended numerous township and municipal meetings talking with boards and citizens about it. Fast forward to July 31. Things have changed dramatically based on feedback from our community. We have listened and believe we responded as the community wanted us to. The 90-day trial has been stopped, and we have advised Flock Safety we will not be moving forward."
After Doran's comments, OCSO Lt. Scott Bosley was given permission to explain the present status of the Flock Safety program in Oceana County, which is the immediate cancellation of the trial period and contract. “We’ve had enough public outcry against it that… we’re done.”
Regarding when the equipment would be removed, however, the OCSO could not confirm an exact timeline, though Bosley assured that "we are on track to get them taken out.”
Walker also requested the OCSO get some sort of assurance from Flock Safety that the cameras would not collect data in the interim.
Jordan Tryon of Hesperia also spoke at public comment, providing a fact sheet on Flock Safety, documenting “abuse and misuse” of the cameras and others like them nationally for commissioners to reference should the discussion come up again in the future. Regarding the concern of the cameras still recording following contract termination, Tryon also mentioned reports from other communities of Flock Safety cameras doing just that. Citing abuses of other present and historical mass-surveillance states, Tryon said, “I would like to ensure that this never happens again for my children and my grandchildren…”
During commissioner’s reports later during the meetings, Commissioner Paul Erickson, who was present at the Weare Township board meeting, described the proceedings as “good governance” for “the position that we were in, wherein the people were allowed to speak, they were heard, and there was a change in policy.”
Also at public comment, resident George Heath raised concerns over the blocking of selective social media comments on the Oceana County Road Commission’s (OCRC) Facebook page, claiming a Supreme Court judicial ruling that “public entities can block all comments, but they can’t selectively block comments.” Walker informed Heath that the county commissioners’ jurisdiction over the OCRC only extends to setting the elected road commissioners' wages and budget.
Continuing through the regular meeting agenda, commissioners approved the renewal of a 3-year contract with Newaygo County for a juvenile detention center bed agreement. As Oceana County lacks such a center, the county has had long-standing rental agreements with facilities in Newaygo. “It doesn’t guarantee that they’re going to have a bed down there when we need it, but without a contract that option isn’t available,” Walker explained.
Garry McKeen of the county Parks and Recreation commission reported successful youth summer programs in conjunction with the Oceana Conservation District. McKeen described the collaboration and programming as “a great opportunity for our public and the conservation district to use our parks.”
McKeen also informed commissioners of upcoming needed repairs and replacements throughout two county parks. The picnic shelter at Crystal Valley Dam park needed repairs following animal activity in the roof. Throughout the repair process, it was realized that the roofing material, a mixture of asphalt and fiberglass, had deteriorated significantly in the 20 years since its installation. The materials are, likewise, no longer sold due to the product's poor quality. As such, the roofs at the Crystal Valley Dam and Mill Pond Park structures will need proper replacements in the next few years.
Lt. Bosley, once again, reported on behalf of the OCSO, thanking commissioners for the approval of the department’s new drone program, which has been utilized 20 times since deployment earlier this year, particularly in water rescues.
Commissioners also approved an engagement letter with Foster Swift Law Firm to represent the county in the development of a 5-county materials management plan. Continuing in the vein of inter-county collaboration, Oceana County is entering into an agreement with Midwest Strategy Group Consulting for dedicated lobbyists in Lansing, along with several other similarly rural counties in the region. As Walker explained, Newaygo County originally proposed the idea as they “felt as though they weren’t getting all of the support that they thought they should get from the lobbyists at MAC (Michigan Alliance of Counties).” Commissioners decided on a one-year contract with Midwest Strategy Group amounting to about $9,600.
The County Building Department also requested board approval for an amendment to their refund policy, allowing the acceptance of building permit credits in lieu of refunds. After discussion over the tracking, length of time the department would hold credits and standardization across municipalities and townships, the board approved the amendment with the stipulation that, after holding for 180 days, the permits would be refunded.
