The Town of Hillsborough has cancelled a contract with the company Flock Safety for 10 license plate reader cameras around the community, it said in a release Tuesday. The announcement comes after the town’s Board of Commissioners held a closed session Monday night to discuss “data privacy concerns” related to the cameras.

Earlier in the year, the town had entered into a two-year contract worth approximately $81,500 (accounting for installation and maintenance costs) with Flock Safety for cameras which take still images of a vehicle’s “distinguishing features,” including the license plate. The Hillsborough Police Department said it aimed to use the cameras for investigations related to missing persons and other cases.

Installation of the cameras around town began earlier in October, with five having been completed by the time the Board met Monday night. The five installed cameras will now be removed following the cancellation of the contract Tuesday. The town said that upon a “closer review” of the contract with Flock Safety, town leaders became concerned about certain language which could allow the company to disclose data to “any government entity or third party” if it felt the need to do so.

Hillsborough mayor Mark Bell and police chief Jason Winn released a joint statement about the contract’s cancellation, saying it was “in the best interests of our community to stop the installation and use” of the cameras.

“As we went through the installation process, we began learning more about the system, the company, and issues noted throughout the country, particularly concerns about data security,” the statement read. “Our job is to keep our community safe, and their privacy rights are of utmost concern… While this technology would provide benefits for police and community safety, we also have to weigh the potential negative impacts that the program may present to the community as a whole. We will look for new and other innovative programs and applications for our police department to continue our commitment to keeping Hillsborough a safe and prosperous community.”

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, October 28, for his weekly Conversations With the Mayors radio interview to discuss these events.  You can listen to that full conversation here. 

 

Featured image via Chapel Hill Media Group/Brighton McConnell

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Water Main Break Causes Lane Closure, Hours-Long Shut-Off in Hillsborough
A water main break and faulty valve led to several Hillsborough residents’ water being shut off on Thursday and a system pressure advisory being put into place. A release from the town government first alerted people to a break shortly after 10 a.m., saying one lane of Orange Grove Road was closed as utility crews […]
Water Restored After Leak Repaired in Hillsborough; Boil Water Advisory Lifted
UPDATE: The Town of Hillsborough lifted the boil water advisory for affected residents on Thursday evening. After a water main leak led to shutoffs for most of Wednesday, some Hillsborough residents are under a boil water advisory. The Town of Hillsborough shared a release Wednesday night saying repairs on a 12-inch water main along U.S. […]
Water Main Break in Hillsborough to Affect Traffic Into Next Week
A water main break on a main Hillsborough street will affect traffic patterns for several days, according to the town government. The Town of Hillsborough shared a release Friday saying crews are working to fix a leaking water main on the east side of South Churton Street near the Autorific Car Wash. While no businesses […]
Police: Hillsborough Man Arrested in Possession of Illegal Drugs, Stolen Gun
The Hillsborough Police Department has arrested a local man in an ongoing narcotics investigation. According to police, officers arrested 66-year-old Jeffrey Marsheal Ruffin Friday morning after executing a search warrant in the 200 block of Daye Street, north of downtown. During the search, investigators say they recovered several items, including about 31.8 grams of cocaine, […]
Orange County Communities to Observe Martin Luther King Day Jan. 19. Here's How it Affects Services.
The observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 19 will affect local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s what residents can expect this year: Town of Chapel Hill Most town offices will be closed Monday. Residential trash normally collected Monday will be collected Wednesday, Jan. 21. Curbside recycling collection will […]
Hillsborough Reinstalls Pump Station Infrastructure After Flood Repairs, But Relocation Challenge Remains
Hillsborough crews successfully moved its wastewater pump station off temporary equipment to a permanent pump after repairs from July's storm.
Top Stories of 2025: Vulture Controversy in Hillsborough Drives Ordinance Change and Enforcement Questions
A dispute between neighbors over one person attracting vultures to his property developed into a broader discussion in Orange County about wildlife ordinances and enforcement.
Orange County Communities to Interrupt Services for December Holidays (2025)
Communities around Orange County will interrupt their normal service schedules during the upcoming winter holidays. Here’s what customers can expect: Town of Chapel Hill Town of Chapel Hill government offices will be closed from Wednesday, Dec. 24 through Friday, Dec. 26. Residential trash collection will not be affected. Yard trimmings will not be collected on […]
Thanksgiving Holiday to Affect Local Government Services in Orange County (2025)
Thanksgiving will fall on Thursday, November 27 this year, and the holiday will affect several local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s a rundown of what residents can expect: Town of Chapel Hill Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 are both town holidays. Residential trash collection will not be affected. However, there […]
Town of Hillsborough Cancels Contract for License Plate Reader Cameras
The Town of Hillsborough has cancelled a contract with the company Flock Safety for 10 license plate reader cameras around the community, it said in a release Tuesday. The announcement comes after the town’s Board of Commissioners held a closed session Monday night to discuss “data privacy concerns” related to the cameras. Earlier in the […]
›