Arkansas Mayor Orders Pause on Flock Surveillance Cameras Amid Privacy Backlash

Cabot, a city in central Arkansas, has temporarily suspended its use of Flock Safety's automated license-plate reader cameras after residents raised privacy concerns.

Mayor, Not Police Chief, Commands Suspension

Mayor Ken Kincade directed city staff to cover and disconnect all Flock cameras by 10 a.m. Friday, saying citizens' concerns deserved a closer review. Unlike recent decisions in other Arkansas communities, this action came from the mayor rather than the police chief, making Cabot the third Arkansas city to step back from the technology since July.

What The System Records

The Flock cameras log license-plate numbers and record when and where a vehicle was seen. They can also capture a vehicle's make, model, color and identifying details such as bumper stickers or body damage. Depending on local agency settings, those records may be shared across departments.

Local Pushback And Precedents

Other nearby communities have also scaled back or ended participation. Pea Ridge's police chief withdrew the city from the program, citing community concerns, questions about return on investment and the time the issue consumed. In Greers Ferry, residents successfully pressed to move a camera after it recorded activity on their driveway and front yard following legal concerns raised by the Institute for Justice.

"I have heard your concerns that these Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras have raised about our privacy as citizens," Kincade said. "As your mayor, I firmly believe that public safety and civil liberties must never conflict. Both must be protected equally."

Incidents Fueling Debate

Critics point to misreads and aggressive enforcement as reasons for caution. In Sherwood, a camera reportedly misread a plate by one letter, flagging a vehicle as stolen; the ensuing traffic stop resulted in an officer drawing a weapon and a woman seated beside a one-month-old child being detained. Supporters warn that taking the cameras offline could hinder authorities' ability to recover stolen vehicles or act quickly in investigations.

Next Steps

Kincade said the city will reexamine the program and solicit input from residents and local leaders, but he did not provide a timeline or explain how public comments will be collected. For now, Cabot's Flock system remains covered and disconnected while officials weigh community concerns against public-safety benefits.