BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) -Brunswick County commissioners heard answers Monday night to questions about how the Flock license plate reader cameras and the data they collect are used by the sheriff’s office. Commissioners are weighing whether to keep funding the system.
The sheriff’s office said its main points were education and transparency as it explained why it wants to keep the Flock system in place.
Most of the presentation came from Michael Clemmons, the sheriff’s intelligence director, rather than Sheriff Brian Chism.
Clemmons covered how the Flock license plate readers work, who in the sheriff’s office monitors the system and the safeguards in place to prevent abuse.
Chism said he wanted to answer lingering questions before county leaders decide the program’s future.
“Tonight was just to educate the commissioners about what we use Flock, how we use Flock, how we don’t use Flock… The end goal is they’re going to have to make a decision on whether or not we’re gonna keep it. I 100% agree it’s a great tool and it definitely saves lives,” Chism said.
Commissioners praised the presentation. Some still raised concerns about privacy and data sharing.
Chism and his team defended the network.
“It does save lives, whether it’s missing people, dementia patients, abductions, or even drugs and fentanyl. This goes over a multitude of crimes to solve them and get a good solution,” Chism said.
Chism also outlined changes made since the arrest of a former deputy on charges of abusing the Flock system.
“Again, it goes back to using it for investigative purposes only, we’re not gonna give somebody access that doesn’t need it and is not gonna use it, so that shrunk that pull,” Chism said.
Commissioners also learned the Flock license plate reader cameras are in place at entrances and exits to the county.
The sheriff’s office also uses additional license plate readers posted at other locations.
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