Students at Appalachian State University recently gathered on Sanford Mall to protest the use of Flock Safety's automated license plate readers (ALPRs) on campus and within the town of Boone. The demonstration, held on August 17, is part of a growing movement in the High Country challenging the deployment of such artificial intelligence security systems. Organizers expressed concerns about constant widespread security cameras and data collection, which they say compromise individual privacy.
The student protest, reportedly around 10 strong, displayed "FLOCK OUT" signs, signaling discontent with the university's contract with the national security agency. Appalachian State signed its agreement with Flock Safety in 2022 for an initial term of 24 months. This contract led to the installation of three Falcon-line ALPRs, incurring $1,050 in installation fees and an ongoing biannual cost of $2,500 per camera.
The primary inspiration for the student action was @deflock.boone828, an Instagram page dedicated to tracking Flock camera locations throughout Boone and on campus. Launched on June 5, the account has amassed over 2,000 followers and prompted an official response from Boone Mayor Dalton George regarding the cameras' appearance and usage.
Mayor George clarified the town's limited involvement, stating that the decision to implement these systems was made "roughly 6 years ago" by a previous Town Council, none of whom are current members. He noted that the Town of Boone controls only two Flock cameras in Watauga County. Under state law, the Mayor indicated that the town's only recourse would be to terminate its contract, which would remove just two of the more than 20 systems operating county-wide. The Mayor pointed out that other cameras are managed by private businesses, the NCDOT, Watauga County, and Appalachian State University.
Boone Police Department actively monitors the two cameras under the town's control. According to the Boone NC PD Flock Transparency Portal, these cameras are used exclusively to track vehicles and license plates, not humans or facial recognition data. The portal states that the police department "utilizes retroactive search to solve crimes after they’ve occurred," emphasizing the aim to capture objective evidence "without compromising on individual privacy." A third ALPR camera listed on the portal is a non-permanent fixture, deployed by Boone Police for special events or in response to specific threats, as confirmed by Mayor George. The town's policy dictates that information collected by its Flock cameras is used solely by Boone Police and is not shared with third parties. Furthermore, the data is explicitly not intended for immigration officers, traffic enforcement, harassment, or intimidation.
Mayor George, while not having a direct vote on the matter, stated he introduced a measure to pause any additional systems, ensuring the town would not acquire more than its current two cameras. He also commented that if he were to vote on the matter, he would personally vote to terminate the contract.
The effectiveness of Flock cameras in law enforcement has been highlighted in specific instances. One incident involved a Boone Police camera at the Watauga County Recreation Center, which alerted local authorities, including the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, to a vehicle matching the license plate of a suspect wanted for murder in Greenville County, South Carolina. The driver, Raimon St. John Campbell, was subsequently apprehended by Boone Police and awaits trial in Watauga County.
However, the technology has also been at the center of controversy. An investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) involves a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer, Seth Elliot, who was arrested on July 29 and placed on unpaid administrative leave. Elliot is suspected of using Flock cameras to gather information on an undercover Boone police officer's license plate, which he allegedly provided to a suspected drug dealer described as a friend from college. The NCSBI's investigation into Elliot's alleged unauthorized search of a North Carolina license plate registration system is ongoing.
These incidents underscore the growing national and local debate surrounding the implementation and potential misuse of artificial intelligence security systems. Protesters, including freshman criminal justice major Starr Brady, voiced concerns about privacy, noting that even in public spaces, individuals want to feel their movements and facial data are not constantly being recorded. Junior psychology major Ben Aldred highlighted the passion surrounding the issue, suggesting that many residents remain unaware of the extent of camera usage. Flock Safety maintains that its ALPRs do not track individuals or collect facial or biometric data, yet national concern persists regarding the potential for such data use, particularly by law enforcement.
The details of Appalachian State's contract with Flock came to light through a public records request initiated by DeFlockILM, a citizen-led organization in Wilmington opposing Flock camera deployment. This organization shared emails with Appalachian State, which revealed aspects of the university's relationship with Flock. Appalachian State, however, has not confirmed the specific locations of its three cameras, citing an exemption for sensitive public information under N.C.G.S. § 132-1.7. Despite this, general consensus suggests two cameras are located on Rivers Street, with one facing John E. Thomas Hall, and the third outside Walker Hall. While receipts confirm the purchase of three Falcon ALPRs, the contract language also hints at potential future discussions regarding other devices, such as Flock’s Raven line gunshot detectors and Sparrow line ALPRs, though no purchases for these were documented.
The ongoing discussions around Flock technology highlight broader conversations about surveillance, artificial intelligence, and privacy in the digital age, prompting public expressions of concern and advocacy in communities like Boone.
