Asheville City Council pushes police to end Flock contract

20 August 2026. [AI first draft. Verify every fact against the source before publishing.]

Asheville City Council members have called on the police department to end its contract with Flock Safety, according to reporting from August 20, 2026. The Asheville Police Department stated it maintains safeguards designed to prevent misuse of surveillance technology. The council's push reflects ongoing debate within the city over the use of automated license plate reader technology and the oversight mechanisms in place to govern it.

The timing and specific vote counts on any council action were not reported. Details about the contract's cost, renewal date, or length of the current agreement were not disclosed in the coverage. It is unclear whether the council took a formal vote to direct the police department to end the arrangement or whether the call represents the position of individual members.

This development is part of a broader national conversation about Flock Safety contracts and their renewal or termination. The outcome of Asheville's situation may influence how other municipalities review their own surveillance camera programs. For residents seeking to understand the current state of ALPR technology in their own communities, checking city council meeting minutes and agendas can reveal whether similar debates are underway, as well as the dates of upcoming contract renewal reviews.

Read the original reporting: The Asheville Citizen Times.