KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Knox County Mayor-Elect Betsy Henderson has joined a growing group of county leaders calling for the removal of Flock license plate reader cameras, adding her voice to an ongoing debate over how the surveillance technology was approved and purchased.
In a statement released Tuesday, Henderson described the situation surrounding the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Flock Safety as increasingly troubling while emphasizing her support for law enforcement.
“It’s vitally important to support our law enforcement while protecting the individual rights of our citizens,” Henderson said. “The more I learn, the more disturbing this situation gets. I support Commissioner Adam Thompson’s proposal and believe that these cameras need to be removed immediately.”
Henderson, who takes office as Knox County mayor on Sept. 1, is the latest elected official to publicly support removing the camera system.
Concerns Raised During Commission Meeting
The comments come one day after Knox County commissioners met with representatives from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Flock Safety during a lengthy workshop focused on the future of the camera network.
Commissioners raised concerns about how the system was acquired and whether purchases were intentionally kept below the county’s $25,000 review threshold.
During the meeting, officials discussed multiple purchases made over several years that were reportedly priced just $10 below the amount that would have triggered additional county scrutiny.
“If you hit the exact price, minus ten bucks, it’s a red flag to me,” Commissioner Larsen Jay said during Monday’s discussion. “Which to me shows a pattern of buying things right under the threshold again and again and again. That concerns me.”
Questions About Oversight
Several commissioners said their primary concern is not necessarily the technology itself but the process used to bring the cameras into Knox County.
Commission members argued that repeated purchases below the review threshold prevented broader county oversight and limited opportunities for public discussion.
“This flew under the radar,” Jay said. “Whether it was intentional or unintentional, it doesn’t matter.”
County leaders have questioned whether the purchases effectively skirted commission review requirements and whether enough communication occurred between the sheriff’s office and county government.
Mayor Jacobs Questions Contract Validity
The debate intensified after current Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs sent a letter questioning whether the county has a valid agreement with Flock Safety.
Jacobs has argued that the original contract should have expired and has raised questions about what legal authority governs the camera system today.
The mayor’s letter has added another layer of uncertainty as commissioners continue evaluating the future of the program.
Vote Could Come Next Week
Knox County Commission is expected to revisit the issue during its next meeting and could vote on whether to remove the cameras as early as August 31.
The outcome could determine whether the existing Flock camera network remains operational in Knox County or is dismantled.
For now, Henderson’s statement signals that county leadership under the incoming administration may favor removal of the system if concerns about oversight, transparency, and contracting are not resolved.
The debate continues to center on balancing crime-fighting technology with accountability, public trust, and protection of individual privacy rights.
