Sept. 8, 2026
Jonathan Rich
BrevardBeagle.com
A week after Brevard Police Chief Christy Wentzell publicly addressed an offer to receive three AXON Outpost cameras as part of a contract to upgrade her officers’ outdated supply of body cameras and tasers, the city’s top cop announced she had heard the voices of local residents on the topic and has decided not to further consider obtaining those controversial cameras for local law enforcement at this time.
Chief Wentzell voiced her decision at the start of Tuesday night’s Brevard City Council meeting where the topic of Automatic License Plate Reader cameras, also referred to as ALPRs, was on the agenda and several residents had already signed up to share their perspectives against the practice of using these devices to digitally record and share vehicle license plates visible on public roadways and public property.
“Without a doubt, I believe the police department could effectively and responsibly operate this program, but just because we can responsibly implement a tool does not necessarily mean we should implement it,” Wentzell said. “Right now, building trust within the community is more important to me than winning the approval of technology.”
View Chief Wentzell’s previous PowerPoint presentation on ALPR cameras
Eight Flock-branded ALPR cameras were installed off Transylvania County roadways in 2024, and a total of 14 cameras are currently in use by the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office to investigate stolen vehicles, missing persons, and other suspicious illegal activity.
Chief Wentzell said she agrees with Sheriff Owenby that ALPR cameras can be an effective law enforcement tool, but after hearing members of the public overwhelmingly speak out against them due to privacy and security concerns, now is not the time to employ them for use by her officers.
“I believe ALPR cameras are incredibly valuable as investigative tools because I have seen firsthand the difference they can make,” she explained. “I have seen them locate missing persons and bring loved ones home. I have been able to assist in recovering stolen vehicles and identify vehicles connected to serious crimes. I’ve seen where this has given investigators information that has helped bring justice to victims of violent crime. The benefits are real and my belief in the value of the technology has not changed, but what has changed is my belief in that this is the right time for the board to move forward with it.”
Click here for the Brevard Police Department’s technology policy
In August, the Brevard Public Safety Committee recommended city staff hold a public information session prior to advancing the proposal to the full City Council for review. Approximately 60 residents attended the Sept. 1 public information and listening session at the Mary C. Jenkins Community and Cultural Center and many more communicated their thoughts via emails, phone calls, and public comments.
Listen to the entire Sept. 1 special meeting recorded by the City of Brevard
Watch the entire meeting on the City of Brevard’s YouTube channel
Of the 11 members of the public who signed up to address Brevard City Council during public comment time later in the meeting, most had to ammend the prepared comments they brought to share before Chief Wentzell’s annoucement.
“I want to thank the police chief for what she said,” began Ashely Hart, founder of DeFlock Transylvania County, NC and No Axon Brevard, NC during her three-mintues alloted to address Brevard City Council. “Thank you so very much for standing up for the people and what the people wanted, because it’s the people you have to make happy … the people of Brevard do not want to be under surveilance and I do not want them to be under surveilance, either.”
“There’s nothing like a citizen being heard,” added Robert Jazwoski, who had attended many of the city’s previous discussions of ALPR cameras and also thanked the police chief for her decision. “I’m no fan of the cameras and I’m no fan of the system behind it. I’m just kind of going to leave it at that.”
With the proposed contract from AXON now ammended to not include any provisions for the ALPR cameras, Brevard City Council moved on with the rest of the meeting’s agenda.
“In some ways the discussion was about more than just three cameras in Brevard,” commented Councilman and Public Safety Committee Vice-Chair Dean Lytle later in the meeting. “This is one place where people felt they could make their voices heard. [The chief’s] decision to withdraw the request . . . is a demonstration of leadership.”