After a marathon of over two dozen public commenters—nearly all of whom opposed the technology—Asheville City Council voted to end its contract with Flock Safety Tuesday.
As previously reported by the Asheville Citizen Times, Flock’s automated license plate readers have drawn controversy in Asheville and across the country. Critics say the cameras violate their right to privacy and that the data they collect can be misused by law enforcement. Advocates argue the technology gives police a powerful tool to locate suspects and solve crimes more quickly.
Read More: In rural NC county, opposition to Flock cameras unites conservatives and liberals
Mayor Esther Manheimer had announced Aug. 19 that she would ask Council to direct Asheville’s city manager, DK Wesley, to terminate the Flock contract as quickly as possible. Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting, she said residents had raised “legitimate concerns” about the company’s practices and that the city should conduct a thorough review of the technology.
Asheville will remove all 11 city-operated Flock cameras while that review takes place.
Many of the residents sharing their thoughts with Council, however, said the move didn’t go far enough. They pointed out that the city had recently expanded its contract with Axon Enterprises, another vendor of cameras and license plate reader technology, and accepted federal funds to set up a “real-time intelligence center” employing Axon’s Fusus software.
“This move does look like a total bait-and-switch,” said Jen Hampton, an organizer with Asheville Food and Beverage United. “Let’s call that what it is: the same exact police state, just with a different corporate logo.”
In response to those concerns, Council member Kim Roney attempted to add a formal moratorium on any new license plate readers to Council’s agenda. However, her proposal died when no other member seconded the motion. Wesley emphasized that the city would not replace its 11 Flock cameras with Axon units while the city was conducting its policy review.
Two Council members voted against ending the Flock contract. Sheneika Smith accused the crowd attending the meeting of giving little thought to vulnerable residents who might rely on cameras for a sense of security.
“Do you all care what happens next when it comes to safety?” Smith asked. “Because tonight, I hear privacy over conviction, privacy over safety, privacy over justice.”
And while Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley said she shared residents’ concerns over Flock and how the company handles sensitive data, she was disturbed at how the contract cancellation had come to Council.
“This whole thing feels deeply political to me,” Mosley said. “We are in the middle of an election season, and I’m uncomfortable making public policy — particularly public safety policy — in a way that feels driven by the politics of the moment.”
Mosley and Smith, along with Council member Maggie Ullman, are seeking reelection in November in a field of six candidates. Manheimer is also running against Roney to secure a fourth term as Asheville’s mayor.
Reporting by Daniel Walton, Asheville Citizen Times / Asheville Citizen Times
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