Monroe protestors demand city to remove all Flock cameras, automated license plate readers

MONROE, N.C. — Protestors are demanding the city of Monroe remove all its Flock cameras or automated license plate readers.

There’s a petition to get rid of the devices.

On Tuesday Monroe City Council will go over frequently asked questions and talk about ways to ensure transparent information when it comes to Flock cameras.

But the people protesting say information just isn’t enough. They want to see a stop to Flock cameras in Monroe.

The rally was organized by Neighbors United Vecinos Unidos, or NUVU. The group is demanding that the city terminate its contract with Flock Safety and remove all automated license plate reader cameras from Monroe streets.

According to the Monroe Police Flock Transparency Portal, the city currently has 16 total cameras, 12 of them being license plate readers.

Organizers, including an unaffiliated city council candidate, tell Channel 9 they are excited to see Flock on the agenda for the first time, but would be more excited if they city paused the program until after the community input is heard.

“I think a moratorium would be a great step in the right direction because then we would have a moment for everyone to discuss, and what I would really love is an open public comment,” said Abigail Pepper. “I really think we need to have where we have a designated, dedicated meeting specially for public comment to hear both concerns as well as pros and cons, so we can really get the full picture for the city council before they continue on.”

Monroe police publicly attributed the arrest of a violent Monroe burglary to the help of Flock cameras. This was back in July when the department says a shot was fired into an occupied store, narrowly missing an employee.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday.