Every time I leave or enter my own home, I am being watched by two Flock cameras positioned right outside my neighborhood. These cameras track my movements, undermining my sense of privacy and security in a space that should feel personal and safe. This constant surveillance is not only invasive but unnecessary.

Flock Safety, the company responsible for these Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) cameras, claims they enhance public safety and deter crime. However, there is no substantial evidence that these cameras have significantly reduced crime rates in Forsyth County or elsewhere. In fact, studies have shown mixed results at best regarding the efficacy of ALPR systems in crime prevention, while raising serious concerns about privacy, data security, and misuse.

In Forsyth County, these cameras are capturing footage of thousands of innocent people each day, collecting data on their whereabouts without their consent. What happens to this data? Who has access to it? These are questions that remain insufficiently answered. Moreover, potential security breaches could expose this sensitive information to hackers or unauthorized users, putting residents' safety at risk.

Our right to privacy is enshrined in the Constitution, and any infringement upon it should only occur when there is a clear, proven necessity. In this case, the presence of Flock cameras in residential neighborhoods like ours has surpassed the bounds of reasonable surveillance, leading us toward a surveillance state without just cause.

The average cost of a Flock camera system to set up and maintain for a year is about $2,500. That's not including the cost of warning signs, data centers, and the time it takes to teach people to set up. If these cameras are going to stay up, people will cut them down, increasing prices and causing more setup time.

We are not against effective law enforcement. Our concern lies in the balance of security with individual freedoms and privacy rights. Let's redirect resources toward community-driven safety initiatives that involve residents in crime prevention and intervention, programs that have shown to yield substantial and lasting results.

We call on the Forsyth County Commissioners and local law enforcement agencies to reconsider the deployment of Flock cameras in our neighborhoods. Suspend the operation of these cameras immediately and engage with the community to explore alternative, privacy-respecting solutions to public safety. Together, we can ensure a safer Forsyth without sacrificing our constitutional rights.

Please sign this petition to support the removal of Flock Cameras from our neighborhoods and safeguard the rights and privacy of every resident in Forsyth County. Your signature can make a difference.