Flock Cameras Expand Across Gaston, Cleveland and Lincoln NC Counties

2:22 PM EST |April 4, 2025|Wise News Network|Crime, Government, News Articles, Public Safety

By: Wise News Network Staff

North Carolina (WNN)- The use of Flock Safety cameras and license plate reading technology is rapidly expanding across several North Carolina counties. Law enforcement agencies in Gaston, Cleveland, and Lincoln counties are deploying the systems. These cameras help prevent and investigate crimes.

A Flock Safety Falcon V2.2 16mm camera that is pole-mounted. April 3rd, 2025, by Mason Beam (WNN).

What are Flock Safety Cameras?

Imagine a camera that doesn’t just take photos but also acts like a super-smart detective. These Flock Safety cameras snap photos of license plates and can tell police a lot about the cars they see. They can identify the type of car, its color, and even pick out cars with no license plates or temporary tags.

The real magic happens when the system’s computer analyzes this information. If a car has been reported stolen or used in a crime, the system sends an instant alert to the police. This enables them to locate suspects and recover stolen vehicles more efficiently. Estimated costs range from $2,000 to $3,000 annually per camera, and the equipment is leased. Additional installation costs may also be incurred, depending on the location.

How Gaston County is Using the Cameras

In Gaston County, both the Bessemer City and Gastonia police departments are using these cameras to keep their communities safe. Bessemer City is very open about how they use the system. They’ve set up a transparency portal where people can see exactly what kind of information is collected: license plate numbers, car descriptions, and the time the car was seen. They make it clear that the cameras don’t use facial recognition. This information helps them investigate crimes and find stolen cars.

The square panel on top of the pole is the camera’s solar panel. April 3rd, 2025 by Mason Beam (WNN).

Gastonia has gone all-in with its technology, installing lots of Flock cameras and buying even more advanced units. In 2023 alone, they used cameras in 122 cases and solved 55 of them. They’re also building a high-tech crime center, funded by grants, with the Flock camera system as a key part. These cameras help them track down stolen cars, identify suspects in violent crimes, and even tap into a network of cameras in other areas.

Cleveland County’s Approach

The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office is also being transparent about its use of Flock cameras. They’ve created a similar online portal that explains what data is collected (license plate numbers, car descriptions, and timestamps) and assures the public that facial recognition is not used. They use the data to help solve crimes, like finding stolen cars or identifying vehicles involved in criminal activity. The portal also explains how long the data is kept and who can access it.

A List of Policies and Usage for the Flock Cameras In Cleveland County. April 2nd, 2025.

Lincoln County’s Expansion

Lincoln County has significantly enhanced its surveillance capabilities by installing 30 Flock cameras throughout the county, according to a recent press release. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is using these cameras to combat serious crimes.

Using money from drug seizures, they’ve set up the cameras to send real-time alerts about stolen cars, wanted suspects, and vehicles connected to AMBER or Silver Alerts. The cameras take still photos of license plates, not video. The data is kept for 30 days, and only high-ranking law enforcement officers working on serious felony cases or missing persons searches can access it. Plus, their agreement with Flock Safety gives them access to thousands of other cameras in the area, significantly expanding their reach.

Legal Challenges and Privacy Concerns

The widespread use of Flock Safety cameras has sparked legal challenges, particularly concerning Fourth Amendment rights. Lawsuits, like one that happened in Virginia, argue that the systematic tracking of vehicles constitutes a search requiring a warrant, raising concerns about privacy and potential government overreach. These cases could significantly impact the future of license plate recognition technology.

Cherryville: No Information Released

While surrounding communities are actively deploying and providing information about Flock cameras, Cherryville has yet to release details about its camera system. There is a lack of publicly available information from the Cherryville Police Department regarding the implementation, funding, or use of these cameras.

One of the Flock cameras located along Highway 150 in Cherryville, NC. April 3rd, 2025 by Mason Beam (WNN).

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