Pittsboro, NC — Pittsboro commissioners voted May 11 to end the town’s contract with Flock Safety license-plate-reading cameras, capping months of public concern over surveillance and data privacy during a packed meeting that also included a proposed no-tax-increase budget, downtown awards, wetland and annexation rule changes, a Town Hall construction step and approval to purchase CSX property.
The Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting, held at the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center and streamed through the town’s YouTube channel, moved from ceremonial recognitions to budget priorities, then into one of the town’s most closely watched policy debates: whether Pittsboro should keep using automated license plate reader cameras through the end of its contract or terminate the system early.
A packed agenda with one defining vote
The central action came late in the meeting, after seven public speakers urged commissioners to cancel the Flock Safety contract. Mayor Kyle Shipp had recommended continuing the existing system through the current contract period, with conditions that included no additional cameras without board approval, continued bans on use for traffic enforcement, immigration enforcement, reproductive care investigations, facial recognition or monitoring gatherings, 30-day data retention, monthly internal audits, public reporting and a future board review before the January 2027 contract end date.
That motion failed. Commissioner Candace Hunziker then moved to terminate the agreement with Flock Safety, including amendments, renewals, extensions and additional camera authorizations, and to prevent town funds from being used for continuation or renewal in the FY 2026-27 budget. The motion also directed staff to notify Flock to discontinue operations, deactivate the system and remove associated equipment as soon as practical, no later than July 1, subject to records-retention obligations and final reconciliation. Commissioner John Bonitz seconded the motion, and the board approved it 4-1, according to the town’s official release.
Residents frame cameras as a trust issue
Public comments before the vote focused less on distrust of Pittsboro police and more on the broader architecture of surveillance. Several speakers said they trusted Police Chief Shorty Johnson and local officers, but did not trust private data systems, outside agencies or future uses of information collected from everyday travel.
Frank Castle told commissioners the cameras raised constitutional, security and community concerns. He argued that a system capturing ordinary drivers sends the wrong message about the relationship between residents and local government.
“These cameras are far from targeted,” Castle said. “They treat all citizens as potential lawbreakers.”
Nia Pierce said the issue was not whether Pittsboro police had good intentions, but whether data should exist in a form that could be shared, misused or obtained by other entities. “If that data is not there, then it cannot be misused or abused,” she said.
Other speakers raised concerns about interagency data sharing, corporate control and the lack of public consent. Justin Hyatt described growing up around government surveillance in East Germany, saying that history showed how surveillance systems can be built for one purpose and used later for another. Tyler Patterson called Flock part of a “massive privately controlled network of behavioral data.”
Supporters of keeping the cameras argued that the technology had helped police solve crimes and protect residents. Mayor Pro Tem Jay Farrell read a statement from local business owner Bert Wheeling, who said a stolen truck from his business had been recovered and that he understood the Flock system played a major role. Farrell urged commissioners to support the police department and revisit the contract later rather than terminate the system immediately.
Commissioners split over public safety and privacy
The commissioners’ debate reflected a tension seen in communities across North Carolina: whether license plate readers should be treated as a narrowly useful investigative tool or as a surveillance network that local governments cannot adequately control.
Hunziker said the issue had come up repeatedly in conversations with Pittsboro residents and crossed political lines. “It’s not a left versus right or pro-police or not pro-police,” she said. “It is a privacy and trust issue.”
Commissioner Tiana Thurber said she had heard from residents through email, at her store and through an online survey, and that the majority of respondents opposed the cameras. Foley said vague language in the contract regarding data retention was an “alarm bell.” Bonitz said local government should be wary of outsourcing surveillance infrastructure to a large private company.
Shipp and Farrell favored continuing the system under tighter local controls through the contract period. Shipp said concerns about contract language were legitimate but argued Pittsboro could use the remaining term to push Flock for clearer protections.
The vote aligned Pittsboro with Chatham County, which had already moved to cancel its Flock contract, and with a broader regional debate over the use of automated license plate readers. Chapelboro reported that Pittsboro had nine Flock cameras within town limits and that the board’s 4-1 vote rejected Shipp’s proposal to continue the system until the January 2027 contract expiration. (Chapelboro.com)
The town’s own Flock transparency page described the system as a tool for retroactive searches after crimes occur and real-time alerts on hotlist vehicles, while also providing access to usage policies, statistics and an April 2026 audit log.
Budget proposal: no tax increase, no fund balance draw
The Flock vote came during the same meeting in which Assistant Town Manager and Finance Director Heather Meacham presented the manager’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2026-27.
Meacham said the proposed general fund budget totals $13,800,300, maintains current service levels, includes a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment for employees and does not call for a tax-rate increase or an appropriation of fund balance. The proposed $13.8 million budget includes no tax increase and would retain the town’s current fund balance.
The proposed budget includes funding for several new positions: an assistant project manager, a development services division manager, a senior planner or planner III and a downtown marketing operations coordinator. Meacham also described rising costs for health insurance, retirement contributions, sanitation services and fire department funding.
Health insurance drew particular attention. Meacham said the town initially faced a potential Blue Cross Blue Shield increase approaching 49 percent, later reduced to roughly 38 percent, but staff found savings by switching providers to Aetna while offering employees multiple plan options with higher deductibles.
One resident, Chris Behn, used the budget public hearing to urge the town to fund a tree canopy assessment. Behn argued that such a study would give Pittsboro a baseline measurement of tree cover across town and extraterritorial jurisdiction areas, helping officials track the cumulative environmental impact of development rather than evaluating tree loss one project at a time.
Budget survey shows affection for Pittsboro, concern over growth
Before the budget hearing, Communications Director Caitlin Murphy presented results from the FY 2026-27 community budget survey. The survey drew 132 responses, including 69 from respondents who identified themselves as in-town residents.
Murphy cautioned that the results should be seen as “a pulse of engaged residents,” not a statistically complete representation of the town. Respondents were more likely to be older, homeowners and long-term residents. Still, the survey offered a snapshot of priorities: residents generally rated Pittsboro positively as a place to live, but expressed concern about growth, infrastructure, walkability, parks expansion and environmental protection.
Parks and recreation emerged as the top funding priority among in-town respondents, followed by environmental preservation and public works. When asked which areas could justify a tax increase, environmental preservation ranked first, followed by public safety and parks and recreation. But support for higher taxes was conditional: 30 of the 69 in-town respondents said no, 21 said it depended on the amount, 15 said yes and three were unsure.
Murphy said the data suggested that residents are not necessarily anti-growth, but want growth handled thoughtfully. “Residents love Pittsboro,” she said, “and because of that are increasingly concerned about how it is changing.”
Police, public works and civic graduates recognized
The meeting opened with several ceremonial items. Shipp administered oaths of office to Police Officer Dene Teer O’Daniel and Police Officer John Benedict Tapales. With those hires, officials said the department was doing well on staffing, though Chief Johnson joked the department is “always hiring.”
Shipp also proclaimed May 11-16 as National Police Week in Pittsboro, citing the service of more than 800,000 law enforcement officers nationwide and honoring officers killed in the line of duty. Later, he proclaimed May 17-23 as National Public Works Week, recognizing the town employees responsible for infrastructure, water, sanitation, public buildings and community services.
The board also recognized graduates of the spring 2026 PBO-101 Citizens Academy, a five-week civic engagement program designed to give residents a working understanding of town administration, finance, public works, parks and recreation, policing, development services, downtown work, engineering, planning, communications and the governing board.
Downtown honors underscore Pittsboro’s Main Street momentum
The board recognized the Pittsboro Pop-Up Park for receiving the North Carolina Main Street Award for Best Outdoor Space Improvement. The N.C. Department of Commerce listed Pittsboro’s Pop Up Park among the 2025 Awards of Merit in the “Best Outdoor Space Improvement” category, alongside projects in Concord and Lumberton.
The pop-up park, created on a long-vacant downtown lot, has served as a temporary community gathering space and a test site for future programming. The town’s downtown site describes the park as temporary, with plans for a larger downtown footprint within five to seven years and possible features including a stage, restrooms, seating, a children’s play area and a community garden.
Mayor Pro Tem Farrell also recognized Shipp as Pittsboro’s 2025 Main Street Champion. The N.C. Department of Commerce listed Mayor Kyle Shipp of Pittsboro among 42 Main Street Champions honored in March for their commitment to downtown revitalization and community building.
Downtown staff credited Shipp with helping build the local Main Street program, saying he personally helped recruit members for the downtown advisory board and consistently supported downtown events and projects.
Growth rules: wetlands, annexation, definitions and ADUs
The board approved four Unified Development Ordinance amendments after public hearings.
The first, ZTA-2026-05, updated definitions in Section 12.12. Planning staff described it as part of an ongoing series of UDO cleanup efforts, separating similar but distinct terms such as clustering and conservation subdivision clustering, clarifying encroachments, defining the extraterritorial jurisdiction, and adding language around gross land area, net tract area, level of service, open space for conservation, thoroughfares, timber harvesting and unconstrained lands.
The second, ZTA-2026-06, updated wetland protection standards in Section 4.5. Staff said the changes were intended to clarify how the town treats wetlands adjacent to surface waters or within 50 feet of surface waters, while making clear that Pittsboro is not buffering isolated wetlands beyond what state and federal law allow. The town agenda showed Planning Board recommendations for approval of both the definitions and wetland standards amendments.
The third, ZTA-2026-08, added voluntary annexation procedures to the UDO, replacing placeholder language with references to state statutes governing contiguous and satellite annexation. Commissioners asked whether the board could reject or delay annexation requests based on public health, safety and welfare concerns. Staff said commissioners could do so with supported reasons, such as utility capacity, fiscal impacts, growth management, infrastructure limits or environmental constraints.
The fourth, ZTA-2026-09, amended the accessory use and structure table to allow accessory dwelling units in neighborhood mixed-use centers and community mixed-use centers where residential uses are already allowed. Staff said the change was narrow and did not expand ADU allowances into manufacturing or other commercial-only categories.
Town Hall project moves forward
Commissioners also authorized Town Manager Jonathan Franklin to negotiate and execute a professional services agreement with Edifice for pre-construction construction-manager-at-risk services for the future Town Hall project, with the contract not to exceed $76,348.
Project Engineer Ben Schmadeke said the town received eight statements of qualifications, interviewed three firms and selected Edifice as the most qualified based on its project team, experience and approach. Commissioners asked about the firm’s background with municipal buildings. Schmadeke said Edifice had experience with town halls and public projects.
The board then approved a budget amendment to allocate funds to the Town Hall build project.
Advisory board policy introduced
Deputy Town Clerk Malia Summey introduced a proposed advisory body policy intended to put expectations, appointment procedures, member roles, reporting rules and administrative processes in one place.
Commissioners raised early questions about training, ethics, virtual meeting participation and term limits. Hunziker asked whether advisory board members could be encouraged or required to participate in PBO-101 or receive additional training. Bonitz said the policy clearly outlined what volunteers must do and what they must not do, but he wanted more language about what staff would be responsible for. He also cautioned against term limits that might force out experienced advisory board members just as they become effective.
Staff said the policy would return for further consideration after commissioners had more time to submit comments.
Closed session leads to CSX property purchase
After the public agenda, commissioners entered a closed session under North Carolina law to discuss real property acquisition. When they returned to open session, the board voted to purchase all CSX property in Pittsboro for $62,000 and approved a related budget amendment of $70,000 to cover the purchase and ancillary costs.
The action was brief but significant, adding another land decision to a meeting already marked by long-term planning issues, from wetlands and annexation to Town Hall construction and downtown revitalization.
A meeting defined by civic engagement
The May 11 meeting showed Pittsboro at a familiar crossroads: a growing town trying to balance public safety, privacy, environmental stewardship, infrastructure, downtown identity and fiscal discipline.
The Flock vote drew the strongest emotions, but it was not an isolated issue. The budget survey showed residents want parks, environmental protection, better connectivity and careful growth. The UDO amendments reflected the town’s effort to tighten rules before future development pressures intensify. The pop-up park award and Main Street honors showed that Pittsboro’s downtown strategy is gaining statewide notice. The PBO-101 recognition and advisory board policy underscored the town’s push to formalize civic participation.
The takeaway from May 11 was clear: Pittsboro residents are not waiting quietly while growth, technology and public spending reshape the town. They are showing up, asking questions and forcing elected officials to weigh not only what government can do, but what it should do.
Watch on YouTube – May 11th, 2026 – Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting
Pittsboro Board of Commissioners Meeting Highlights: Oath of Office Ceremony for Police Officer O’Daniel and Agenda Approval.
09:17 Pittsboro Board of Commissioners meeting begins with moments of silence and ceremonial items.
- The meeting commenced with a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Pro Tem Perrell.
- The agenda and consent agenda were unanimously approved, and the meeting featured the oath of office ceremony for new police officer O’Daniel.
12:38 Oath of office highlights commitment to Constitution and law enforcement.
- The officer pledges to support and defend both state and federal constitutions.
- Emphasizes impartial execution of duties without personal bias or prejudice.
17:08 Pittsboro honors National Police Week and fallen officers.
- 363 new names will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, including 190 from 2025.
- May 11-16 is designated as National Police Week, culminating in a candlelight vigil on May 13.
19:46 Pittsburgh Pop-Up Park enhances community engagement and prepares for future developments.
- The park transformed an underutilized lot into a vibrant space for community gatherings and activities.
- Recognized with the North Carolina Main Street Award, it demonstrates successful public-private partnerships and community collaboration.
24:35 Mayor praised for downtown program support and community initiatives.
- The mayor’s involvement was crucial in establishing the downtown advisory board and its ongoing projects.
- Acknowledgment of the supportive town manager and volunteers who contribute to downtown events and initiatives.
27:46 Proclamation of Public Works Week in Pittsburgh and recognition of public works efforts.
- May 17-23, 2026, is designated as Public Works Week to celebrate the essential services provided.
- The mayor urges community involvement in recognizing the contributions of public works professionals to health and safety.
33:04 Town updates include leadership training and park improvements.
- The manager will participate in a leadership program starting in September, enhancing community management skills.
- Park developments include new shade structures at Night Farm Park and the dog park, with construction on restrooms underway.
35:35 Commissioner Hunter shared updates on recent housing and community engagement activities.
- Participated in the April 23rd panel discussing affordable housing solutions with various stakeholders.
- Attended the AHACK meeting where challenges with the HUD voucher system and community support during crises were discussed.
39:29 Community engagement initiatives promote downtown placemaking and climate action awareness.
- Cheryl Shambley emphasized the importance of placemaking to enhance community love and welcome new residents.
- The Climate Change Advisory Committee is planning a Climate Solutions Fair and discussing energy audits for county buildings.
41:50 Discussion on data center regulations and upcoming price hikes.
- The CCAC is reviewing state and national ordinances related to data centers to improve local regulations.
- Anticipated price increases in petroleum and food markets were discussed, urging community preparedness without hoarding.
45:44 Concerns about surveillance and community trust are raised.
- Government surveillance cameras create a sense of distrust between citizens and authorities instead of fostering collaboration.
- The belief that surveillance is necessary to prevent crime undermines the social fabric and assumes wrongdoing without evidence.
47:22 Concerns raised about deployment of surveillance cameras in the community.
- Community members fear being treated as criminals instead of partners in safety and security.
- Doubts expressed over data protection and accountability regarding information collected by surveillance cameras.
51:23 Concerns over data handling and trust within law enforcement agencies.
- Pittsburgh PD treats flock data as investigative and does not release it, while Buncombe County does.
- Issues arise from a lack of control over data shared with other agencies, which may not uphold privacy.
53:10 Community members express strong opposition to Flock cameras.
- Concerns raised about privacy violations and data ownership due to the renting of surveillance cameras.
- Personal testimonies highlight the impact of surveillance on constitutional rights and public trust.
57:43 Concerns about data surveillance and its societal implications.
- The ambiguity surrounding data usage can lead to its misuse for enforcing corporate or political agendas.
- This is a critical moment to reflect on the potential normalization of surveillance and its consequences for future generations.
1:00:59 Community budget survey insights and engagement efforts discussed.
- The survey, conducted in March, gathered 132 responses about town services and budget priorities.
- Future surveys will aim for broader outreach, including offline methods, to increase community participation.
1:05:54 Residents express general satisfaction but desire improvements in parks, transit, and public services.
- Most residents are happy with parks, but expectations are increasing for facilities and services.
- Public transit improvements are needed, as many residents feel neutral about current options and experiences.
1:08:19 Residents emphasize the need for managed growth and prioritize environmental preservation.
- Residents express concerns about growth management, indicating a preference for balanced development that protects existing community resources.
- Funding priorities show strong support for parks and environmental preservation, with conditional openness to tax increases for these areas.
1:12:55 Discussion on growth management and community engagement strategies.
- Emphasis on thoughtful growth management, quality of life investments, and environmental stewardship.
- Call for enhanced community outreach through social media, churches, and schools to gather broader resident input.
1:14:56 Discussion on the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 budget and priorities.
- The assistant town manager highlights goals for efficiency, staff retention, and no tax rate increase.
- Focus on maintaining a responsible fund balance while aligning resources with community priorities.
1:20:04 Overview of property tax rate and budget changes for the upcoming fiscal year.
- The property tax rate remained stable over 10 years, with a minor adjustment in 2022.
- Key budget modifications include increased funding for the fire department and project management software, while reducing health insurance allocations.
1:22:14 Budget adjustments include new positions and health insurance provider changes.
- The budget reflects a $15,000 addition for the welcome center and reallocation of $75,000 for a water study.
- The health insurance provider will change to Aetna due to a lower rate, with increased deductibles and four options for employees.
1:26:47 Discussion on public health benefits of tree canopy coverage.
- Tree canopy coverage promotes heart health, mental well-being, and mitigates urban heat effects.
- Wake County’s tree canopy assessment reveals a 25% increase over 10 years, with plans for further expansion.
1:28:47 Public hearing on ZTA 20265 definitions begins.
- Discussion focuses on updating terms related to urban development and infrastructure definitions.
- Emphasis on clarifying terms like ‘builtupon area’ and differentiation between clustering types.
1:39:09 Discussion on conservation areas and their development constraints.
- Specific rules govern development near Duke Energy’s electrical transmission lines, restricting physical structures.
- Recent updates from the farm act influence regulations on isolated and contiguous wetland connections.
1:41:12 Discussion on ZTA 2026 wetland protection standards implementation.
- The new standards address the 2023 Farm Act requirements and align with North Carolina regulations for wetlands.
- Wetlands within 50 feet of surface waters are included in the riparian buffer to enhance protection and clarity.
1:45:03 Discussion on amendments to annexation procedures in Pittsburgh’s development ordinances.
- The ordinance clarifies the voluntary annexation process, replacing the old labeling to align with state requirements.
- Voluntary annexation requires a legislative vote, ensuring rights of approved plans remain intact without automatic entitlements.
1:47:15 Review of voluntary annexation procedures and clarification of UDO language.
- Discussion on correcting ambiguous terms in the UDO, specifically replacing ‘placeholder’ with clearer language.
- Clarification that the current review does not address satellite annexation, focusing solely on the voluntary annexation process as per state requirements.
1:51:33 Approval of accessory dwelling units in mixed-use centers.
- The ordinance allows additional dwelling units in specific neighborhood and community mixed-use centers.
- No new commercial items were introduced; the focus remains on residential properties.
1:53:49 Discussion on surveillance technology and community safety measures.
- Approval of continued data retention and monthly audits for surveillance systems.
- Emphasis on the effectiveness of cameras in deterring crime and enhancing public safety.
1:58:05 Community concerns raised about surveillance cameras and privacy issues.
- Detective Bruno was thanked for excellent recovery of a stolen truck, highlighting community support.
- Residents express widespread concerns over block cameras, emphasizing privacy, trust, and political unity against surveillance.
2:00:19 Municipalities are ending Flock contracts over privacy concerns and misuse.
- Concerns over privacy have led numerous municipalities to reevaluate their contracts with Flock, including our own county.
- The local police department has historically ensured safety without Flock cameras, supported by new officer appointments.
2:04:37 Concerns about data retention and surveillance due to camera implementation.
- The contract’s vagueness raises alarm over data retention practices related to surveillance cameras.
- A resolution regarding camera oversight will be deferred to next month’s agenda for further discussion.
2:07:00 Concerns over private surveillance contracts and data transparency.
- Local governments risk compromising individual freedom by outsourcing police surveillance to opaque, profit-driven companies.
- Public skepticism towards Flock’s data practices raises significant trust issues regarding their management of surveillance information.
2:11:00 Motion to terminate the town’s agreement with Flock Safety passed.
- The motion includes stopping all funding for Flock Safety in the upcoming fiscal year and discontinuing the use of their camera system.
- Concerns were raised about private discussions among board members that may violate open meeting laws.
2:13:35 Selection process for construction manager at risk for town hall finalized.
- Eight statements of qualifications were received, leading to interviews with three firms.
- Edifice was selected based on their experience and approach to pre-construction services.
2:18:20 Introduction of the Town of Pittsburgh advisory body policy.
- The policy provides a structured framework for advisory bodies and staff, clarifying expectations and regulations.
- It aims to ensure compliance with state law and aligns with the practices of neighboring communities.
2:20:27 Discussion on training and support for board members and ethical considerations.
- Board members will receive training to boost their confidence and clarify expectations.
- The clerk’s office plans to introduce a PBO 101 course to educate members about their roles.
2:24:58 Discussion on term limits for advisory board members.
- Concerns raised about the complexity of onboarding new members, suggesting that term limits hinder effectiveness.
- Proposal to extend chair terms to three to retain experienced leadership and enhance board efficiency.
2:27:18 Discussion on advisory board term limits and upcoming policy revisions.
- Commissioner Bon highlights the need for new ideas and the potential benefits of term limits for turnover.
- Plans for revisiting a revised policy version at the June meeting, with possible further extensions if needed.