Asheville mayor calls for vote to terminate Flock camera contract

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer has called for a City Council vote authorizing the termination of a city contract with Flock Safety, citing concerns from residents about privacy and security.

If approved, the measure will allow Asheville City Manager DK Wesley to end the contract with the camera company.

“I have heard clearly from Asheville residents, and I’m calling on Asheville to turn off the Flock cameras and remove them, which requires terminating the Flock contract,” said Manheimer. “After careful review and consultation, I have determined it would not be enough to call for a moratorium on the use of Flock technology, because our contract does not allow for the removal of the technology unless we terminate the contract.”

The Flock Safety contract will be considered during the next Asheville City Council on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Addressing community concerns

According to a press release from the mayor’s office, Asheville residents have raised significant worries about privacy and data related to Flock cameras, which are designed to be used as license plate readers. In May 2026, Asheville City Council adopted Resolution 26-97, which reaffirmed “the protection of civil liberties in the collection and use of data by public safety officers.”

However, Manheimer said, subsequent reporting about Flock’s control and use of data collected by its cameras has required further action from city leadership.

“News investigations have documented instances of misuse of Flock data by authorized users in other communities, as well as cases outside of Asheville in which Flock has shared data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other agencies without the express permission of those contracting cities,” the mayor’s office said.

The mayor also called for transparency about the handling of data collected by Flock cameras if termination of the contract is approved. Manheimer commended Asheville Police Department Interim Chief Jackie Stepp for her protective measures surrounding collected Flock data.

“Interim APD Chief Stepp has already begun this work and I applaud her efforts to address community concerns through sound, transparent and protective policies,” she said.

While Manheimer acknowledged that not all of the privacy concerns raised by Asheville residents may be resolved by the termination of the Flock contract, it would “directly address concerns about Flock.”

“Let’s regroup and work with our community to come up with policies that protect individuals while protecting the entire community,” the mayor said.

Additional information about the contract vote will be available in the Asheville City Council meeting agenda at noon, Friday, Aug. 21, at www.ashevillenc.gov/government/city-council-agenda.