New Hanover County residents raise privacy concerns over Flock cameras

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Dozens of residents packed the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners meeting Monday night to voice concerns about Flock automated license plate reader cameras and how the technology is being used by law enforcement.

The group DeFlock ILM is calling on county leaders to pause national data sharing through the camera system, make records of camera searches available to the public and hold a public meeting to discuss the future of the technology.

Several residents spoke against the cameras during the public comment period.

“If I can’t trust our law enforcement to be transparent, how can I trust them to responsibly use these devices?” one resident said.

Another resident called the technology “un-American” and said it could be used to circumvent warrant requirements.

“Monitoring our movements on a day-to-day basis as we go about our private business is an absolute violation of our privacy,” another speaker said.

Brayden Potter compared the use of surveillance technology to historic American values.

“As far as I can recall, Patrick Henry did not say give me surveillance or give me death. As far as I remember, Doctor King did not say let surveillance ring from every mountaintop and every valley. And as far as I’m aware, the Constitution was not dedicated to life surveillance and the pursuit of happiness”

No one spoke in favor of the cameras during Monday’s public comment session.

Board Chair LeAnn Pierce said that was not surprising, but acknowledged the county needs to consider both the benefits and concerns surrounding the technology.

“I know there are some good things about the camera system, but we need to find out what is that balance for everyone,” Pierce said.

Before the meeting, about 50 people gathered outside the Historic Courthouse for a protest organized by DeFlock ILM. Many held signs expressing concerns about privacy and what they described as mass surveillance.

The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office supports the use of Flock cameras. Sheriff Ed McMahon told WWAY last week that the technology can assist with legitimate law enforcement investigations, while acknowledging the need to balance public safety with residents’ privacy.

DeFlock ILM founder Mark Williams said that balance is at the heart of the debate.

“The question becomes how much of a trade-off do we want to give in terms of our privacy to have this feeling of solved crimes?” Williams said.

Pierce also addressed questions about how the cameras are funded.

“My understanding, it was funded the first year with some funds that the Sheriff has control over that we do not. And this year, it was put in our budget, but not necessarily as a line item for Flock,” Pierce said.

Commissioner Stephanie Walker said commissioners are currently in a fact-finding stage and believes the issue should be discussed publicly.

“I do think that we, you know, as commissioners, need to have a discussion about it in an open setting, because we want to be transparent about it,” Walker said.

Pierce and Walker said the Board of Commissioners will continue discussing the issue, but neither provided a timeline for potential changes or decisions regarding the cameras.