Cabarrus County's Flock license-plate-reader program and a permanent stage at Rob Wallace Park top the agenda when commissioners meet Monday, Oct. 5.
The Board of Commissioners work session starts at 5 p.m. at the Government Center, 65 Church St. S in Concord, according to the county's published agenda. The meeting broadcasts live on Spectrum Cable channel 22 and on the county's YouTube channel.
Flock camera program review
The County Manager is set to brief commissioners on the Flock camera system. No vote is expected on the item.
Cabarrus County signed a $99,230 agreement with Flock Safety in May 2023 for nine plate-reader cameras, one long-range reader and one video camera, according to an Independent Tribune review of local Flock contracts. The cameras capture plate numbers, vehicle characteristics and timestamps when a car passes.
The briefing comes as several North Carolina communities have pulled back from the technology. Asheville, Davidson and Dare County have ended their Flock contracts, Spectrum News reported Sept. 4. Catawba dropped its trial agreement Sept. 8, according to WBTV.
Recent misuse allegations in the Charlotte area have drawn scrutiny. A Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer was accused in July of using Flock technology to help someone involved in a drug investigation. In August, Mooresville officer Elizabeth Snowman was accused of using the cameras 31 times to track her boyfriend's ex-wife, according to WBTV.
Snowman was arrested. Cornelius officer Edward Florentino was terminated in connection with the case, though Florentino denied involvement, WSOC-TV reported.
Roughly 2,800 automatic plate readers operate statewide, about 80% of them Flock cameras, according to research from DeFlock.org cited by Spectrum News. The ACLU of North Carolina argues the technology creates a digital trail of every driver, not just crime suspects.
"It's an incredible invasion of privacy," Ivy Johnson, an ACLU of North Carolina staff attorney, told Spectrum News in September.
Flock Safety recently shortened its default data-retention period from 30 days to seven days. Agencies can extend that window for active investigations.
Rob Wallace Park stage vote
Commissioners are expected to vote on a "change of motion" related to building a permanent stage at Rob Wallace Park. The 143-acre park at 12900 Bethel School Road in Midland is the largest county-owned park.
Its first phase cost an estimated $6.7 million and included trails, a fishing pond, a boardwalk and a playground. The stage proposal first appeared on the Aug. 3 work session agenda as a discussion-only item. It returns Monday as an action item.
The agenda does not list a cost estimate or construction timeline for the stage. The park already hosts community events, including Midland's annual fireworks show.
Other business
The Oct. 5 agenda also includes a resolution recognizing a vacancy on the Board of Commissioners, a transfer of county property at 6935 Davidson Hwy to the City of Concord, a donation of a surplus vehicle to Midland Fire and Rescue, a Local Law Enforcement Bonus Program item and a review of the utility-service interlocal agreement with Concord.
