CHARLOTTE – What types of surveillance tools are being used by law enforcement in Charlotte and cities across the country? And what safeguards can we put in place to protect the privacy of citizens?

As Charlotte officials take steps to expand the city’s camera surveillance network, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of North Carolina will host a May 30 panel discussion on “The State of Surveillance” with privacy experts and a representative from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

The May 30 event is free and open to the public. Last year the ACLU of North Carolina announced the formation of a new Charlotte-area volunteer chapter.

What: A panel discussion to examine current policies and proposals for an expanded camera surveillance network in Charlotte and discuss best practices for safeguarding citizen privacy, as well as proposed statewide legislation to regulate surveillance technology.

Who:Panelists will include

  • Sharon Bradford Franklin, senior counsel for The Constitution Project in Washington, D.C., whose work focuses on issues of government secrecy and individual privacy
  • Mark Newbold, attorney for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
  • Sarah Preston, policy director for the ACLU of North Carolina

When:7 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, May 30, 2013

Where:The Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte, 234 North Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte, NC 28211

This meeting will also coincide with the ACLU-NC's annual statewide membership meeting, where we will announce newly elected board members.