Questions arise over license plate readers and immigration checks in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Police in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo say they do not use license plate readers to check on immigration violations.

Both agencies released statements Friday, June 6 after a Kalamazoo area man, Zach Lassiter, posted spreadsheet audits on social media of alleged police searches to the Flock database.

Flock provides license-reader camera systems to police agencies nationwide.

One spreadsheet appeared to show searches made by a Grand Rapids police staff member or officer for the cause of “deportation warrant.”

But Grand Rapids police say the information is not accurate.

“I want to assure our community that GRPD does not utilize license plate readers (LPRs) to conduct immigration-related investigations,“ Grand Rapids police Chief Eric Winstrom said in a statement.

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