Privacy concerns are front and center in Chatham County as leaders review the use of Flock Safety cameras - an automatic license plate reader system launched in Pittsboro in 2024.
The Pittsboro Board of Commissioners on Monday voted to terminate its contract with Flock Safety.
The board voted 4-2 to terminate the contract with no funds appropriated in the upcoming budget year. The motion included a request that Flock deactivate all associated equipment and removes it as soon as possible, no later than July 1.
Pittsboro residents have been pushing back on the presence of Flock cameras in their community, citing privacy issues. They even brought their concerns to the town commission in February.
Pittsboro police have said the cameras assist tremendously in solving crimes.
In a “2024 Update” provided by the Pittsboro Police Department to the town commission in March of 2025, the department’s presentation said the Flock camera system went live in January 2024, with data being stored for 30 days.
According to that presentation, the police say they've solved cases thanks to the cameras, including three stolen cars, a hit and run, three larcenies and finding a person of interest in other larcenies.
