Bryan Cody's Stances & Approach On:
Flock Cameras
Flock Cameras
Flock Cameras
Does Risk outweigh Reward?
Residents deserve to feel safe in Grand Rapids and to know that their privacy and civil liberties are protected. My approach to Flock license plate cameras starts with a clear expectation: the city must demonstrate their public safety value and explain how it prevents misuse. That means answering concrete questions about who can access the data, which agencies it is shared with, how long it is retained, and whether restrictions are enforced. Residents’ concerns about surveillance deserve serious answers and a meaningful role in this discussion.
I believe any use of this technology must include strict limits on access and sharing, independent oversight, regular audits, and public reporting that allows residents to evaluate both its effectiveness and its risks. A policy on paper is only useful if it works in practice and violations carry consequences. As I complete my review, I will make my conclusion public and explain the evidence behind it. I will not support continued use simply because the system is already in place; the city must show that it can deliver a meaningful safety benefit while protecting residents’ rights.
If safeguards cannot reliably detect misuse, protect residents from unfair targeting, or prevent unchecked sharing of their data—or if the risks outweigh the public safety benefits—I would support canceling the contract and removing Flock cameras from our city.
ICE
Flock Cameras
Flock Cameras
Grand Rapids should be a city where every resident can call the police, access City services, go to work, and participate in their community without fearing that an interaction with local government will unnecessarily expose them to federal immigration enforcement.
Immigration enforcement is primarily a federal responsibility. Grand Rapids already has policies stating that City services are available regardless of immigration status and that GRPD does not enforce federal civil immigration laws. I support those principles, and I believe our actions must match our policies.
As a City Commissioner, I would support clear safeguards preventing City personnel, equipment, databases, surveillance technology, and other local resources from being used for civil immigration enforcement except where required by law or pursuant to a valid judicial warrant. I also support transparency around when and why the City interacts with federal immigration authorities.
This does not mean ignoring criminal activity. Serious crimes should be addressed regardless of immigration status. But local law enforcement should not become an extension of ICE simply because someone is undocumented.
Public safety depends on trust. Grand Rapids cannot control federal immigration policy, but we can control how our City responds to it. Our responsibility should be to protect public safety, uphold due process, treat people with dignity, and ensure local resources are used to serve Grand Rapids residents.
Top Goals & Priorities
Get Housed. Stay Housed.
I am passionate about housing because housing shapes everything: family stability, neighborhood strength, economic opportunity, and the future of our city. Within the last 5 years I have been a tenant, a property manager, and a homeowner. This gives me a unique perspective into what can create or hinder housing attainability, and what people of all walks of life are facing in terms of affordability. Grand Rapids needs practical reforms that make it easier to provide safe, quality housing without unnecessary red tape that drives up costs and limits opportunity.
We need creative solutions to the issues we face. We have a variety of issues affecting everyone from seniors to homeless, empty nesters to the underserved. I believe we can protect standards, respect neighborhoods, and still create a system that is fairer, more efficient, more affordable, and focused on results. Housing policies should allow communities to thrive, not hinder their ability. This will not be a one size fits all and will not be a one time solution. The work must continue the issues we face change. I am committed to staying up to date and in touch with Ward 2 to identify their wants, needs, and fears.
Protecting Today. Building Tomorrow.
Grand Rapids must continue to grow in a way that is fair, functional, and rooted in strong neighborhoods and community. People want safe streets, well-kept housing, responsive city services, and confidence that growth will not come at the expense of the neighborhoods they already love. They also want a city where working people can afford to live, families can put down roots, and investment strengthens the community instead of pushing people out.
I believe we can support growth without losing accountability. That means pushing for better city systems and processes, expecting high standards from property owners and developers, and making sure city policy reflects the everyday realities residents face. I will push for simple public metrics on permits, inspections, response times, and project timelines.When permits, inspections, approvals, and follow-up stall out, the consequences are real. Homeowners, landlords, small business owners, and neighborhood investors all pay the price when the process is unpredictable. Delays cost time, money, and opportunity. They also make it harder for the city to solve problems, expand housing, and support responsible growth.
Growth should be shaped by what helps neighborhoods stay stable, livable, and connected. A strong city is not built by ignoring neighborhood concerns, and it is not built by blocking every change. It is built by setting clear rules, enforcing them fairly, and making decisions that serve the long-term health of the community.
Clarity in Process. Results in Action.
Residents deserve to know what their government is doing while there is still time for them to weigh in. Too often, people learn about important decisions only after they have been made, or they cannot get a clear answer from City Hall when they ask. That breeds frustration, erodes trust, and makes local government feel out of reach.
I believe city government should be easier to understand, easier to access, and more accountable to the people it serves. If elected, I will provide regular Ward 2 updates on upcoming decisions and hold consistent office hours so residents can raise concerns directly and get answers. I will seek out residents to understand their thoughts and needs in order to make educated decisions that reflect community sentiment.
I support practical reforms that make city services more reliable and easier to navigate. That means improving communication between departments, reducing avoidable delays, identifying bottlenecks, and setting clear performance standards so residents can see whether City Hall is actually improving.