NEW BALTIMORE, MI — A New Baltimore tattoo shop owner says a joke post about Flock cameras quickly became much bigger than he expected. Steven Jean, who owns The Alien Body Shop, posted on Instagram that anyone who brought him a Flock camera would get a free tattoo.
Jean says the offer was meant as satire and entertainment, not a real invitation to strip cameras from public places. Still, the post spread widely and drew more than 2 million views, turning a local joke into a Metro Detroit talking point about surveillance and public reaction.
He also says people began sending him photos and videos of damaged Flock cameras after seeing the post, which made clear how heated the subject has become for some residents.
Why Flock cameras have become such a flash point in Metro Detroit
Flock cameras have become a growing topic of debate in communities across Metro Detroit. The technology captures license plates and other vehicle information as cars pass through an area, and supporters say it can help investigators follow leads in serious cases.
Jean said he understands why some people see value in the cameras, but he also said many residents are uneasy about how the systems are used. In his view, placement matters, and he suggested they should be concentrated around places where severe crimes could happen, such as kidnappings or sexual assaults.
The reaction to his post, he said, shows just how strongly people feel on both sides of the issue.
City records show New Baltimore approved two cameras in 2025
CBS News Detroit spotted multiple Flock cameras in New Baltimore, underscoring that the technology is already part of the local landscape. City records show the New Baltimore City Council approved a $7,500 agreement for two Flock cameras in 2025.
That local contract helps explain why the joke landed where it did. The cameras are not just a distant policy debate for area residents; they are visible in the community and tied to an official city agreement.
Flock systems are designed to record vehicle data as traffic moves through an area, giving law enforcement another tool to review when trying to solve crimes or track a suspect vehicle.
A former Detroit police official weighs in on damage and misuse
Former Detroit Police Assistant Chief Steve Dolunt said there is an important difference between accidentally striking a camera with a vehicle and deliberately damaging one. He said intentional destruction of the devices can lead to serious consequences.
Dolunt was blunt about the risk of crossing that line, saying that people who go beyond an accident and deliberately paint over or damage a camera could face arrest. He also said the data collected by the cameras should not be stored indefinitely.
In his view, information should be kept only for a short time unless it is needed for an active investigation. He also argued for stronger penalties if an officer were found using the technology for non-police purposes.
Jean says the stunt is about conversation, not vandalism
Jean said the viral post was designed to get people talking, not to encourage them to remove or damage cameras. He has emphasized that damaging someone else’s property can carry legal consequences, and he does not want his joke taken literally.
He even joked that if someone truly had been arrested for vandalizing a Flock camera, that story might qualify for a free tattoo. According to Jean, one person contacted him with that claim after the post spread online.
He also said he would be open to doing tattoos inspired by Flock cameras, but only as part of the humor around the topic and not as a call to action.
A playful post becomes a reminder to respect the law
For Jean, the bigger point is that the joke created a chance to discuss something many people in the area are already thinking about. The online reaction, he said, shows that Flock cameras stir strong opinions and emotional responses.
Even so, he left no doubt about where he stands on the practical side of things. His message to anyone who might take the offer seriously was simple: do not bring Flock cameras to the shop.
“It’s all about obeying the law and having a good time,” Jean said, summing up the spirit of the stunt while making clear that the post was never meant to encourage criminal behavior.
