Asheville -- August 26, 2026: The Asheville City Council voted 5–2 on Tuesday to authorize the city manager to terminate the city’s contract with Flock Safety, initiating the removal of the city's 11 AI-powered automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras.
The decision follows weeks of community debate and comes approximately one week after Mayor Esther Manheimer publicly proposed ending the contract to ensure the physical removal of the devices.
Key Takeaways of the Approved Resolution
The adopted measure directs the city manager to begin immediate contract termination procedures and establishes strict guidelines around data handling and future surveillance use:
Hardware Removal: City officials will formally request that Flock Safety remove all 11 city-operated camera installations across Asheville.
Immediate Data Freeze: City staff and law enforcement are directed to suspend all access, querying, searching, and sharing of data collected through the Flock network.
Data Retention and Preservation: Existing records will be handled, retained, or purged strictly according to North Carolina statutory requirements and city record retention schedules, with non-evidentiary data purged after 21 days.
Prohibition on Facial Recognition: The resolution explicitly bars linking or cross-referencing Flock-collected data with facial recognition systems or databases operated by outside entities.
Comprehensive Review: A review will be conducted alongside civil liberties advisors to evaluate potential policy safeguards, audit protocols, data-sharing limitations, and oversight mechanisms regarding future municipal surveillance technology.
Council Discussion and Community Input
The vote concluded an extended public hearing where dozens of residents addressed council members to voice varying perspectives on public safety, civil liberties, and privacy protections:
Civil Liberties and Data Concerns: Numerous community members voiced strong apprehension regarding metadata collection, third-party data access, potential misreads, and information-sharing with out-of-state or federal agencies. Several speakers also urged the city to pause other camera and surveillance agreements, including expanding capabilities under its Axon contract.
Public Safety and Investigative Use: Other residents and council members highlighted the practical benefits of license plate readers in aiding law enforcement. Proponents emphasized their utility in solving serious crimes, recovering stolen vehicles, locating missing individuals, and supporting active officer investigations.
Council Perspectives: Council members voting in favor cited the need to address unresolved questions surrounding data sharing, oversight, and community trust. Members voting in opposition noted the importance of ensuring law enforcement retains modern investigative tools and that crime deterrence strategies remain actively supported while broader policies undergo review.
Watch the City Council Meeting
The full discussion and public hearing from the August 25, 2026, Asheville City Council meeting can be viewed below: