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Pittsboro board votes to terminate Flock Safety ALPR contract after weeks of public concern
Summary
After extensive public comment and board debate about privacy and data-sharing risks, the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners voted to terminate its agreement with Flock Safety, directing staff to discontinue operation and remove equipment as soon as practical and to avoid funding renewal in FY2026-27.
The Pittsboro Board of Commissioners voted on May 11 to terminate the town's agreement with Flock Safety, the company that provides automated license-plate-reader (ALPR) cameras, directing town staff to notify the vendor to discontinue operation and to remove associated equipment as soon as practical, subject to required record-retention and legal obligations.
Supporters of ending the contract said the cameras create a privately controlled surveillance network that threatens resident privacy. "These cameras are in direct opposition to this goal," Frank Castle told the board during the public-comment period, saying the devices treat all citizens "as potential lawbreakers." Several other speakers cited Chatham County's recent decision to cancel a Flock contract and urged Pittsboro to follow suit.
Board members debated the recommendation offered by the mayor to continue use through the current contract term under strict conditions (no new cameras or expanded sharing, 30-day retention, monthly audits and a November renewal review). A motion to continue under those conditions failed on a voice vote. A second motion to terminate the agreement, prohibit appropriation of renewal funds in the FY2026-27 budget, and require deactivation and removal of equipment by July 1, 2026 (subject to legal limitations) passed by voice vote.
Commissioners framed the decision as balancing public safety and privacy. Commissioner Ferrell urged colleagues to consider the police department's view that the system assists investigations, noting a local business owner credited the system with helping recover a stolen truck. But other board members and numerous residents said contractual ambiguities, third-party data sharing, and the commercial nature of the Flock network left too much risk.
The board's termination motion directs staff to comply with contract terms and applicable law in winding down the system and to withhold funds for any renewal. The town also directed staff to report back on usage, audit findings, data sharing and complaints at an upcoming meeting if further action is required.
The board did not list a detailed vote tally in the public record; outcomes were recorded by voice vote and announced in the meeting as "failed" (for the continuation motion) and "motion carries" (for the termination motion). The board's action ends the town's participation in the multi-jurisdictional Flock network unless a future board votes to reinstate or replace it.
