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
‹
Conversations with the Mayors: Hillsborough Town Banners, COVID Update, Downtown Development
Hillsborough Mayor Jenn Weaver spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, July 19th. This is an edited transcript of their discussion of the town’s new banners, COVID protocols, and how to balance development with a historic downtown. The transcript has been lightly edited for clarity. Listen to the full interview here. Andrew Stuckey: […]
Hillsborough Receives $600,000 From Emergency Housing Assistance Grant
As some community members in Orange County continue adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic and seek aid to pay for housing, the local governments have taken steps to help. Last month, the latest wave of funding to assist Hillsborough residents in need arrived. The Town of Hillsborough earned $600,000 from the federal Community Development Block Grant program, […]
Hillsborough Public Hearing Conducted In-Person, Outdoors After Residents' Request
The Town of Hillsborough held a public hearing on Monday night to hear thoughts and concerns from residents regarding a development application to build a new townhomes complex nearby. But the gathering of the town commissioners was a little different than any held in recent years. Hillsborough officials conducted the hearing outdoors at the David Price […]
Hillsborough to Resume Water Disconnections, Utility and Tax Penalties in August
The Town of Hillsborough will resume disconnecting water service and imposing penalties for delinquent utility and tax accounts in less than two months. The town’s Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance at its latest meeting to discontinue the stay placed on such costs and protocols beginning August 1. Past-due water and sewer accounts will begin accruing […]
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 […]
Hillsborough: Fourth Amendment Rights, Urban Service Boundary and Holiday Service
Hillsborough Mayor Bell joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Tuesday, Nov. 25 to detail news around town.
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 […]
Orange County's Trio of Mayors Prepare For New Terms With Towns' Long-Term Futures in Mind
After Tuesday night, each of Orange County's are poised to serve another two years and shared their visions of leading the towns to address both short- and long-term needs.
2025 Election Results for Local Races in Orange County and Pittsboro
Tuesday marked Election Day for local races across North Carolina. Here are the vote tallies for Orange County and Pittsboro's elections.
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 […]
›