The Centerton City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to discontinue the use of Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras across the city. The cameras, which capture images of vehicles’ license plates and have been used by law enforcement for crime prevention and investigations, will be removed from their current locations within 30 days, the council confirmed.
Flock Safety cameras were initially installed in Centerton in 2022 as part of an effort to enhance neighborhood security and assist the police department in tracking criminal activity. However, the city’s decision follows growing concerns from residents about privacy and the lack of clear accountability regarding data storage and usage.
During the public comment segment preceding the vote, several community members expressed unease with what they described as the potential for mass surveillance of ordinary residents. “While safety is important, many of us feel that our daily movements should not be recorded without explicit cause,” said a longtime Centerton resident. Others voiced worries about data being accessed beyond local law enforcement, including third-party contractors.
The council members took those concerns under advisement, with several acknowledging that the technology’s benefits did not clearly outweigh its drawbacks in this community. Council member Lisa Harmon stated, “We want Centerton to be a safe place, but not at the cost of compromising the privacy our residents value. After reviewing input and assessing the impact, we believe ending the Flock Safety contract is the right step.”
Flock Safety cameras operate by capturing high-resolution images of license plates as vehicles pass fixed positions, compiling data that can be queried by law enforcement agencies to locate stolen vehicles or suspects. Advocates argue the system is a valuable investigative tool; critics claim it equates to unchecked surveillance without sufficient legal protections. In Centerton, there was no previous public vote on the initial contract when cameras were deployed, adding to transparency concerns among the public.
The Centerton Police Department had supported the continued use of the cameras, highlighting several instances where the technology contributed to case resolutions. However, police Chief Michael Yates acknowledged the council’s decision and said the department would comply fully. “We understand the community’s perspective and will work to maintain safety through other means,” Yates said in a brief statement after the vote.
The removal will affect multiple camera locations on key entrance and exit points around Centerton, including those at Highway 102 and South Centerton Boulevard. The city has paid an estimated $15,000 annually under the contract with Flock Safety, costs that will no longer be incurred starting next fiscal quarter.
This decision places Centerton among a number of municipalities nationwide reevaluating automated license plate readers amid debates on privacy rights. Comparable cities are at various stages of regulating or terminating similar programs due to growing public scrutiny.
Residents interested in following up on community safety alternatives or attending future city council meetings can find schedules and agendas at Centerton’s official website. Local advocacy groups urging transparency in law enforcement surveillance technology have indicated they will continue to monitor the city’s policies closely.
Centerton’s move diverges from other Northwest Arkansas cities still utilizing similar camera systems, such as Bentonville and Rogers, which have maintained their contracts but pledged to increase public communication about usage data.
Source: Reddit Arkansas
