Public Safety vs. Personal Privacy: Flock Cameras debated in Harnett County, across North Carolina

ERWIN, N.C. (WTVD) -- The debate over Flock surveillance cameras is intensifying in Harnett County, as citizens and law enforcement clash over the balance between public safety and personal privacy.

When the topic came up on a local Facebook group, Erwin resident Mary Henkes says the response was immediate and loud. "When it was brought up on our Facebook group, it just blew up. What, no, we don't want those here. Get them out of here," Henkes recalled.

For drivers passing through Erwin, the cameras are easy to miss. Yet, 11 Flock cameras now monitor busy intersections and the town's main entrances, quietly scanning every passing car.

What Flock Cameras Do

The Flock system captures still images of vehicles, recording color, make, and model, and can alert police if a car is reported stolen, a tag matches a wanted person, or a missing individual is in the area.

Not everyone is on board.

"I don't like it," Henkes said, noting her discomfort with the cameras watching daily comings and goings.

She's lived in Erwin for 21 years and questions the need for such technology in rural areas. "I can see having them maybe in a few places, maybe strategic places, but way out here in the country, on country back roads and things, I don't really see a need for it," she said.

Another resident, Nashia Ray, echoed those concerns: "I have one, like, right directly close to my kids' daycare. Take them down or just don't make any more," she said.

Law Enforcement's Perspective

With just 11 officers on staff, Erwin Police Chief Jonathan Johnson says the cameras are a necessary tool in a small department's arsenal. "I know the concerns, you know, and we've got some pretty strict policies in place," Johnson said.

Johnson says the department audits camera usage weekly, and Flock's own system tracks every search.

"Flock also had recently implemented kind of audit-tracking system within their system. So that way, if something suspicious or tags ran several times pops up in their system," Johnson explained.

Privacy Safeguards and Legal Standing

Flock Safety, the company behind the cameras, says their devices do not record video or use facial recognition. Instead, they capture still images of vehicles in public view.

According to a statement provided to ABC11:

"Flock's LPRs capture still, point-in-time images of vehicles in public view. The cameras capture still images only; they do not record video or use facial recognition. Agencies own and control their data, access is limited to authorized users, every search requires a documented reason, and each search creates a permanent audit trail. Data is automatically deleted after 30 days by default unless an agency establishes a different retention period consistent with applicable law and policy. Flock does not sell data. Additionally, customers control their own sharing settings through the Flock platform. These sharing relationships are opt-in and can be changed or revoked by the agency at any time.

We understand there are questions about privacy and data. We believe public safety and privacy can coexist. More than 40 courts across the country have determined that fixed license plate readers do not violate the Fourth Amendment and cannot track the whole of an individual's movements."

Concerns Remain

Despite those assurances, residents like Henkes remain uneasy. "I understand that it's it's a great tool for them. But, you know, like I said, most people, you know, they think it's an invasion of privacy because they're watching us everywhere we go."

Chief Johnson counters that with a small force, every technological advantage helps: "We're always looking for the newest and greatest technology just to help us better serve the public. And, you know, this is one of them."

Each camera costs $3,500 per year, for a total investment of $38,500 for the town. Johnson says the system paid off last year, helping to identify and arrest a suspect after cross-referencing Flock data with home surveillance footage.

"We cross-referenced the vehicle from somebody's surveillance system at their home with the Flock system. And we were able to track the vehicle once it came into the city limits and we were able to identify who that was. And we actually were able to make an arrest on that case a short time later," Johnson said.

The Ongoing Debate

For now, the conversation in Erwin and across Harnett County shows no sign of cooling down.

The county announced a new location for the Flock discussion, with the special called meeting scheduled for Monday, Aug. 17, starting at 4 p.m., in the Grand Hall of the Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. 15, West End.

SEE ALSO | NC police officer allegedly used Flock license plate cameras to track boyfriend's ex-wife