Concerns over Flock cameras grow as New Hanover County protest planned
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Concerns over the use of Flock automated license plate reader cameras in New Hanover County are growing, with a local privacy group planning a protest Monday ahead of the county Board of Commissioners meeting.
The protest, organized by Deflock ILM, will take place outside the historic courthouse on Princess Street, where commissioners meet.
The nonpartisan privacy initiative is calling on the county to end its contract with Flock Safety. A petition organized by the group has collected more than 3,000 signatures.
“Mass surveillance has but one goal regardless who has the data, the cameras or the keys. That goal is fear,” Wilmington resident Ian Cassidy said during a Wilmington City Council meeting last month.
Mark Williams, founder of Deflock ILM and an attorney with Rice Law Firm, said he believes government-operated cameras raise privacy concerns.
“I don’t like the fact that Lowe’s has Flock cameras, that’s their right, but with the government doing mass surveillance, treating us all like suspects, that doesn’t sit well with me,” Williams said.
Some members of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners have also raised questions about the cameras.
Board Chair LeAnn Pierce said in a Facebook post that she had researched the technology and reviewed a memo from the New Hanover County sheriff.
“I am concerned and want answers to some critical questions before I support any future funding,” Pierce said.
Some Flock cameras are operated by the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Ed McMahon said the cameras have helped law enforcement but acknowledged the need to balance their use with residents’ privacy concerns.
“Our responsibility is to determine what retention period best serves our community … while protecting privacy and supporting legitimate law enforcement investigations,” McMahon said in a statement sent to WWAY last week.
Flock cameras use automated license plate recognition technology to capture vehicle information, which can assist law enforcement investigations.
There are no Flock-related items listed on Monday’s county commissioners’ meeting agenda. However, some people participating in the protest are expected to sign up to speak during the meeting’s public comment period.
Monday’s protest is part of a national “Take Action Against ALPRs” week organized by the National Deflock Initiative. More than 70 other cities are expected to hold demonstrations throughout the week.
