Flock Safety Fights Back After Hillsborough Terminates Contract

UPDATE: Flock Safety is urgently seeking to reverse the Town of Hillsborough’s recent termination of their contract for license plate readers, a decision driven by data privacy concerns. Just this week, Hillsborough officials canceled their agreement with Flock for ten cameras, citing alarming issues regarding data control.

Earlier this week, Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell revealed that the contract allowed Flock to retain and share data with third parties, which he emphasized was not the intended use when the deal was signed. “That made us realize the system was going to be used by other entities other than the Town of Hillsborough,” he stated. “That is absolutely not what we had signed up for.”

In a bold response on Friday, Flock Safety expressed their commitment to addressing these concerns directly with Hillsborough leaders. The company requested a meeting to clarify misunderstandings surrounding their technology and data usage.

Dan Haley, Flock’s Chief Legal Officer, asserted that the town’s decision is based on misconceptions. “The publicly stated reasons for Hillsborough’s action are entirely based in misconceptions about our technology,” he said. Haley emphasized that even if Flock receives a legal order to disclose client information, the company prioritizes consulting the client first unless legally restricted from doing so.

“The agencies who use Flock control access to their data, period, full stop,” Haley added, expressing confidence that they can alleviate the town’s concerns and move forward productively.

The total cost for the installation and operation of the cameras over two years was projected to exceed $81,000. Mayor Bell indicated that the town may not recover that investment due to the abrupt contract cancellation.

As Hillsborough’s legal team works on the matter, the future of license plate readers in the town remains uncertain. The community is left wondering: will Flock’s efforts to clarify and reassure be enough to salvage the project?

Residents of Hillsborough are keenly interested in this development, as the cameras were intended solely for the police to track vehicles involved in serious crimes. The outcome of this situation could directly impact local safety measures.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops. The implications of the town’s decision and Flock’s response could change the landscape of public safety technology in Hillsborough.