Public Opposition to Flock AI Surveillance Grows as DeFlockILM Petition Reaches 1,182 Signatures in New Hanover County
A growing grassroots movement in New Hanover County is challenging the use of Flock Safety’s automated license plate reader cameras, with 1,182 residents signing a petition urging officials to cancel the county’s Flock contract and strengthen oversight of surveillance technology. The citizen-led group DeFlockILM argues that ALPR systems quietly collect detailed location data on thousands of innocent people, creating privacy and civil‑liberty risks without meaningful public input.
Wilmington, NC, July 20, 2026 --(PR.com)-- Community opposition to the use of Flock AI automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras in New Hanover County is gaining momentum, with 1,182 residents signing a petition calling for the removal of Flock cameras and greater oversight of surveillance technology, according to the citizen‑led initiative DeFlockILM.
The growing petition follows a March 11, 2026 Wilmington StarNews report highlighting the increasingly visible debate over ALPR cameras—described by supporters as a public safety tool and by critics as a threat to privacy and civil liberties. While the City of Wilmington does not currently operate Flock cameras, New Hanover County does have an active contract with Flock Safety, and dozens of cameras operated by government entities and private businesses are already positioned throughout the county.
Organizers note that 1,182 signatures represent a meaningful number in a local context, particularly in a county where a recent county commissioner race was decided by far smaller margins—underscoring that concern over mass surveillance is not fringe, but widely shared.
A Debate Already Playing Out Locally
In its March reporting, StarNews documented the rapid spread of license plate readers in Wilmington and surrounding counties, noting that 41 readers are currently mapped in New Hanover County, 17 in Brunswick County, and 10 in Pender County, according to DeFlock’s open‑source mapping project. The article also acknowledged that these systems can capture far more than a plate number, recording a vehicle’s location, date, time, and identifying features such as decals, dents, or roof racks—often converted into searchable data.
DeFlockILM organizers say this illustrates why residents are increasingly uncomfortable with the technology’s deployment without their knowledge, consent, or meaningful public input.
“Privacy is a fundamental right,” DeFlockILM stated. “ALPR systems quietly collect detailed movement data on thousands of innocent people every day. Over time, that data can reveal intimate ‘patterns of life’—where people worship, seek medical care, or engage in protected political activity. That reality should concern all of us.”
Oversight, Data Sharing, and Public Trust
Although North Carolina law limits how captured plate data may be disclosed, DeFlockILM points to contractual provisions that grant Flock Safety broad data rights, including a perpetual license to collect, analyze, and use data for system improvement and machine‑learning purposes. The group also raises concerns about out‑of‑community searches and sharing practices highlighted in public disclosures from other North Carolina counties.
Local law enforcement officials interviewed by StarNews acknowledged both the investigative value of ALPRs and the importance of preventing abuse. DeFlockILM says that trust cannot rest solely on internal policies.
“Technology that enables long‑term tracking of residents should come with strict, enforceable safeguards and real public accountability,” said Mark Williams, a a local attorney involved with DeFlockILM. “History shows that good intentions alone are not enough.”
Other Communities Are Saying No
The initiative also points out that dozens of municipalities nationwide— including Orange County, NC (Hillsborough, NC) and reportedly Chatham County, NC just yesterday —have cancelled Flock contracts after reviewing privacy risks, data‑sharing practices, and the lack of judicial oversight. As of early March, DeFlock reported that 51 U.S. cities have rejected license plate reader systems altogether.
A Call for Community Engagement
With hundreds of signatures already collected, DeFlockILM is urging New Hanover County officials to:
· Cancel Government Surveillance of Private Citizens by Cancelling the Contract with Flock Data;
· Reevaluate the county’s contract with Flock Safety;
· Increase transparency around data access, sharing, and retention; and
· Engage residents in an open, public discussion before expanding surveillance infrastructure
“This petition shows that people are paying attention,” Williams said. “When hundreds of residents speak up on an issue that affects fundamental rights, elected officials should listen.”
The petition opposing Flock AI surveillance is available at:
https://change.org/DeFlockILM
Media Contact
Mark Williams
DeFlockILM
Email: mwilliams@ricefamilylaw.com
Other Resources:
New Hanover County Contract with Flock - https://deflockilm.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Flock-Safety-Contract.pdf
Chatham County Commissioners Minutes - https://chathamnc.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1405243&GUID=03D95CB1-7238-4EEA-81A4-F3E110AC56B9&Options=&Search=
https://deflockilm.org/
https://deflock.org/
The growing petition follows a March 11, 2026 Wilmington StarNews report highlighting the increasingly visible debate over ALPR cameras—described by supporters as a public safety tool and by critics as a threat to privacy and civil liberties. While the City of Wilmington does not currently operate Flock cameras, New Hanover County does have an active contract with Flock Safety, and dozens of cameras operated by government entities and private businesses are already positioned throughout the county.
Organizers note that 1,182 signatures represent a meaningful number in a local context, particularly in a county where a recent county commissioner race was decided by far smaller margins—underscoring that concern over mass surveillance is not fringe, but widely shared.
A Debate Already Playing Out Locally
In its March reporting, StarNews documented the rapid spread of license plate readers in Wilmington and surrounding counties, noting that 41 readers are currently mapped in New Hanover County, 17 in Brunswick County, and 10 in Pender County, according to DeFlock’s open‑source mapping project. The article also acknowledged that these systems can capture far more than a plate number, recording a vehicle’s location, date, time, and identifying features such as decals, dents, or roof racks—often converted into searchable data.
DeFlockILM organizers say this illustrates why residents are increasingly uncomfortable with the technology’s deployment without their knowledge, consent, or meaningful public input.
“Privacy is a fundamental right,” DeFlockILM stated. “ALPR systems quietly collect detailed movement data on thousands of innocent people every day. Over time, that data can reveal intimate ‘patterns of life’—where people worship, seek medical care, or engage in protected political activity. That reality should concern all of us.”
Oversight, Data Sharing, and Public Trust
Although North Carolina law limits how captured plate data may be disclosed, DeFlockILM points to contractual provisions that grant Flock Safety broad data rights, including a perpetual license to collect, analyze, and use data for system improvement and machine‑learning purposes. The group also raises concerns about out‑of‑community searches and sharing practices highlighted in public disclosures from other North Carolina counties.
Local law enforcement officials interviewed by StarNews acknowledged both the investigative value of ALPRs and the importance of preventing abuse. DeFlockILM says that trust cannot rest solely on internal policies.
“Technology that enables long‑term tracking of residents should come with strict, enforceable safeguards and real public accountability,” said Mark Williams, a a local attorney involved with DeFlockILM. “History shows that good intentions alone are not enough.”
Other Communities Are Saying No
The initiative also points out that dozens of municipalities nationwide— including Orange County, NC (Hillsborough, NC) and reportedly Chatham County, NC just yesterday —have cancelled Flock contracts after reviewing privacy risks, data‑sharing practices, and the lack of judicial oversight. As of early March, DeFlock reported that 51 U.S. cities have rejected license plate reader systems altogether.
A Call for Community Engagement
With hundreds of signatures already collected, DeFlockILM is urging New Hanover County officials to:
· Cancel Government Surveillance of Private Citizens by Cancelling the Contract with Flock Data;
· Reevaluate the county’s contract with Flock Safety;
· Increase transparency around data access, sharing, and retention; and
· Engage residents in an open, public discussion before expanding surveillance infrastructure
“This petition shows that people are paying attention,” Williams said. “When hundreds of residents speak up on an issue that affects fundamental rights, elected officials should listen.”
The petition opposing Flock AI surveillance is available at:
https://change.org/DeFlockILM
Media Contact
Mark Williams
DeFlockILM
Email: mwilliams@ricefamilylaw.com
Other Resources:
New Hanover County Contract with Flock - https://deflockilm.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Flock-Safety-Contract.pdf
Chatham County Commissioners Minutes - https://chathamnc.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1405243&GUID=03D95CB1-7238-4EEA-81A4-F3E110AC56B9&Options=&Search=
https://deflockilm.org/
https://deflock.org/
Contact
DeFlockILM
Mark S Williams
910-762-3854
DeFlockILM.org
Mark S Williams
910-762-3854
DeFlockILM.org
Contact
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