A newly installed Flock Safety camera in New Bern was cut down just days after it went up, and police are searching for the people responsible.
But the story quickly became about more than vandalism.
As investigators asked for tips, many online commenters instead mocked the cameras or flooded tip lines with fake leads, reflecting a growing backlash over the expansion of automated license plate readers.
Supporters say the cameras help solve crimes and recover stolen vehicles. Critics argue they expand government surveillance and raise concerns about privacy, data retention, and how the technology is used.
The incident has become another flashpoint in the broader debate over where public safety ends and mass surveillance begins.
