Maryville city officials and residents gathered on Friday for a public forum to debate the ongoing use of Flock license plate reader cameras in the city.

Police Chief Tony Crisp defended the technology, noting that Maryville has utilized 16 cameras since 2020. Crisp reported that officers searched just over 100 vehicles in the past month, adding that data is automatically deleted after 30 days and access is strictly limited to sworn officers. He highlighted the program’s effectiveness, stating that the department has recovered more stolen vehicles over a recent six-month period than in over five decades of police history.

However, community members voiced strong opposition, expressing privacy concerns regarding government tracking of everyday drivers and potential future expansion of data access.

Mayor Andy White emphasized that the forum was designed to foster transparency and gather public feedback. Following the discussions, White confirmed that the city council will review the community’s concerns before determining future steps and plans to host an additional public forum to hear from more residents.