.png)
HART — Due to negative feedback, the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office announced it is opting out of using the Flock cameras that were recently installed around the county as part of a 90-day trial.
Oceana County Undersheriff Ryan Schiller sent a memo to the Oceana County Board of Commissioners prior to its regular meeting last Thursday, Aug. 13, informing the board of the decision. “We have met with a couple of the townships in person to communicate this message to them as well,” said Undersheriff Schiller.
The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office announced the start of a 90-day trial of Flock Safety License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras just 10 days earlier, Aug. 3.
The trial of the Flock cameras was to be used to evaluate how the technology could assist law enforcement in solving crimes, locating wanted individuals, and recovering stolen vehicles.
“Our command staff recently met to discuss the next steps regarding Flock Safety’s ‘Project Prove It,’” states Schiller’s recent memo to the county board. “Over the past week, we have also met with several local officials who have received a significant amount of public feedback regarding the project, including complaints, phone calls, letters, media inquiries, and other expressions of concern.
“We want to emphasize that we continue to see tremendous value in Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology. We believe ALPRs can be an extremely effective investigative tool, particularly for law enforcement agencies in rural communities. The technology can serve as a force multiplier by providing investigative leads that law enforcement may otherwise never have.
“However, after carefully considering the feedback we have received and discussing the issue as a command staff, we have requested that Flock Safety stop any further installation of equipment and halt further efforts related to ‘Project Prove It’ at this time.
“This decision does not reflect a change in our belief in the value of ALPR technology. Rather, we believe it is important to recognize that our community may not be ready to embrace this technology at this time. We have attended several public meetings where, after receiving additional information and education about how ALPR technology works and how it can be used, some individuals have changed their position. At the same time, it is difficult to determine whether the concerns we are hearing represent the majority of our citizens or simply those who are the most vocal.
“Ultimately, we believe that choosing not to pursue the project at this time is the appropriate decision. Listening to the concerns and wishes of the communities we serve is an important responsibility. We also recognize that without the support of our townships and municipalities, it would be difficult to move forward with a project of this nature, particularly if future funding or participation is dependent upon local support.
“We have not yet received confirmation from Flock Safety regarding when the equipment that has already been installed will be removed. It is possible that the existing equipment may remain in place until the current 90-day period expires. We will provide additional information as we receive it.
“We hope this information is helpful as you continue to meet with the citizens and township officials you represent. We also want to sincerely thank you for your initial support of this project. As we said when this process began, we don’t know what we don’t know. As we have learned more, listened to our communities, and considered the concerns being raised, we believe stepping back at this time is the right decision.
“Thank you for your continued support and partnership.”
______________________________________
Please Support Local News Coverage
For generations, local newspapers were supported by subscriptions. Today, while Mason County Press and Oceana County Press remain free to everyone, the cost of producing quality local journalism continues to rise.
If you value independent local news coverage, we invite you to help sustain it by subscribing to the MCP/OCP Daily Briefing for $12 a month — about 40 cents a day — or $120 a year.
Your subscription helps support the reporters, photographers and editors who cover local government, schools, community events, sports, breaking news and the stories that matter most to Mason and Oceana counties. In return, you’ll receive the MCP/OCP Daily Briefing each morning with the day’s headlines, along with occasional breaking news and special email editions.
Monthly subscriptions are available for $12 per month.
Click here to subscribe monthly.
Annual subscriptions are available for $120 per year. That’s a two month savings!
Click here to subscribe annually.
If you prefer to pay by check, mail your $120 annual payment to:
Media Group 31, LLC
P.O. Box 21
Scottville, MI 49454
Please include your name, mailing address, email address and telephone number so we can activate your subscription.
Subscription payments must be received before service is activated.
Whether you choose to subscribe or continue enjoying our free content, thank you for reading Mason County Press and Oceana County Press. Your readership—and your support—helps ensure that independent local journalism remains available to everyone in our communities.
This story and original photography are copyrighted © 2026 by Media Group 31, LLC, P.O. Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. All rights reserved. No portion of this story or its images may be reproduced in any form, including print, broadcast or electronic media, without the express written permission of Media Group 31, LLC.
As a news organization, Media Group 31 maintains published content as part of the public and historical record. Accordingly, stories are not removed after publication. At the editor’s discretion, stories may be updated or corrected as new information becomes available. Updates may be made by revising the original story or by publishing a follow-up story. Media Group 31, LLC reserves the right to modify this policy at any time. Please refer to our Use Policy for additional information.
