MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – A controversial surveillance camera pointed directly at a Madison Heights cannabis dispensary has been taken down as the result of a new agreement between the city and the company.
The dispute centered on a Flock camera the city installed at the entrance to Jars Cannabis on 12 Mile Road near I-75.
The company responded by posting a “No Flock Zone” sign in front of the camera to block its view, setting off a viral standoff.
Background on the dispute
Jars Cannabis was only permitted to open in Madison Heights after the company sued the city and the two parties reached a settlement.
Part of that original agreement included allowing a Flock camera to be placed at the dispensary’s entrance.
But after customer concerns, Jars pushed back — publicly.
“We share our community’s concerns about increased surveillance, which is why we placed the No Flock Zone sign in front of the camera to block its ability to record,” the company wrote in a social media post earlier this month.
The city quickly responded, threatening sanctions if Jars did not remove the sign.
New agreement reached
The two sides have now reached a revised settlement.
The mayor confirmed to Local 4 that the city entered into a revised settlement agreement, pending final approval by the city council.
Jars addressed the resolution on social media, writing: “We thank everyone who spoke up, shared information, and held us accountable.
This is not a flex. It was a situation we had a responsibility to address."
Camera gone — but not entirely
Although the Flock camera pointed at Jars’ parking lot has been removed, another Flock camera remains approximately 50 yards away.
That camera, however, faces the street rather than the parking lot.