Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Privacy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents ask how Flock cameras are used and who controls the data
Summary
A Hampstead resident raised privacy and oversight concerns about Flock license-plate cameras; officials said the sheriff's office chooses locations and handles law-enforcement data, while the county purchased the cameras and staff will follow up on contract and retention questions.
A resident identified as Bradley asked detailed questions about Flock vehicle- and license-plate-camera deployments in the area, including what data are collected, how long images are retained, whether storage is cloud-based, and who may access the data.
Bradley said the cameras are "AI capable" and expressed worry about tracking of people and vehicles, foreign access to stored data, and potential misuse by authorities. The Chair and other commissioners said the sheriff's office handles operational deployment and law-enforcement access, while the county purchased the cameras; they suggested the sheriff or sheriff's office staff could provide technical and policy details. Officials acknowledged broader public concerns about surveillance and recommended discussing specifics with the sheriff's office for clarity on retention, contractual terms, and data-sharing practices.
Speakers agreed there are legitimate security benefits in certain investigations but said transparency about location decisions, oversight, and data policies would help address public concerns.
