Public Safety Committee - August 25, 2026

The City of Grand Rapids Public Safety Committee convened on August 25, 2026, to discuss several public safety initiatives and technology deployments. Key procurement-related topics included the update on the Medical Priority and Wellness Response Team, a preventative program partnering with Corwell Health to reduce repeat 911 medical calls, which has shown promising results in reducing emergency responses and improving community health outcomes. Additionally, the committee received an extensive presentation on the use of Flock Safety's automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology, which the city procured through a bid list resolution in January 2024. The discussion covered the technology's deployment, data security, auditing, and compliance measures, as well as community concerns about privacy and civil liberties. The committee emphasized transparency, oversight, and the need for ongoing community engagement before contract renewal, with commitments to include ALPR usage in future annual surveillance reports. No new contract awards or budget allocations were announced during this meeting, but the conversation highlighted the importance of policy review and vendor accountability in future procurement decisions related to public safety technology.