Salisbury Approves Flock Safety Cameras Amid Privacy Concerns

ACLU experts warn of surveillance risks as city touts cameras as 'force multiplier' for police.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 4:55pm

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The city of Salisbury, North Carolina has approved the installation of Flock Safety license plate reading cameras, despite concerns from civil liberties groups about the potential for mass surveillance and privacy violations. City officials have touted the cameras as a 'force multiplier' to aid law enforcement, but ACLU experts warn the technology poses significant risks to individual privacy.

Why it matters

The adoption of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) like Flock Safety cameras has become a contentious issue, with proponents arguing they enhance public safety while critics raise alarms about the erosion of civil liberties through widespread surveillance. Salisbury's decision reflects the broader national debate over balancing security needs and privacy rights.

The details

Salisbury's city council voted to approve the installation of an undisclosed number of Flock Safety ALPR cameras across the city. The cameras capture license plate data that can be used by law enforcement to track vehicle movements and identify suspected criminals. City officials have framed the cameras as a 'force multiplier' to assist police, but ACLU experts warn the technology enables 'mass surveillance' that disproportionately impacts marginalized communities.

  • The Salisbury City Council voted to approve the Flock Safety cameras on January 25, 2026.

The players

Flock Safety

A company that provides automated license plate reading (ALPR) camera systems to law enforcement and private communities.

ACLU

The American Civil Liberties Union, a non-profit organization dedicated to defending civil rights and civil liberties.

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What’s next

The ACLU has indicated it may consider legal action to challenge Salisbury's adoption of the Flock Safety cameras on constitutional grounds.

The takeaway

Salisbury's decision to install Flock Safety cameras highlights the ongoing tension between public safety and civil liberties, as cities across the country grapple with the tradeoffs of emerging surveillance technologies.