MOORESVILLE, N.C. — A former Mooresville Police Department officer has been arrested after investigators alleged she repeatedly used the department’s automated license plate reader system for personal purposes, including tracking her boyfriend’s ex-wife.
Elizabeth Anne Snowman, 36, was arrested Aug. 5 and charged with a misdemeanor computer access offense following an internal review of the department’s Flock Safety license plate reader system. Police Chief Ron Campurciani said investigators identified 31 searches that were allegedly conducted for personal reasons.
The allegations come amid heightened national scrutiny of automated license plate reader systems, including concerns about unauthorized law enforcement access, privacy protections and oversight.
Police Say Audit Identified 31 Searches
According to Campurciani, the Mooresville Police Department discovered the activity while auditing its Flock license plate reader system.
Investigators allege Snowman used the system to obtain information about and track the vehicle of her boyfriend’s ex-wife. Police said at least two of the alleged accesses occurred while Snowman was off duty.
The department requires officers to enter a justification when searching Flock data. According to Campurciani, Snowman allegedly identified 29 of the 31 searches as involving motor vehicle infractions, while the remaining two were categorized as burglary or robbery.
Police have also alleged that Snowman was not truthful when questioned about her use of the system.
Snowman is accused of misconduct; the allegations have not been proven in court.
Officer Arrested and Charged
Snowman was taken into custody when she arrived for work on Aug. 5, according to the police chief. She was charged with a computer access violation and received a $5,000 secured bond.
ABC News reported that Snowman is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 27.
Public reporting has described Snowman as a former Mooresville police officer, although earlier reporting immediately following her arrest indicated that her employment status was still being reviewed by the department.
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Department Reviewing Other Potential Flock Misuse
Snowman’s case is not the only Flock-related matter being reviewed by Mooresville police.
Campurciani said the department was examining 10 additional cases involving possible misuse by department personnel. Three of those cases appeared potentially problematic and required further investigation, while the remaining seven initially appeared less concerning, according to WBTV.
Campurciani said during the Aug. 5 news conference that the investigation could result in additional action.
As of the latest public reporting reviewed by Cop Talk LIVE, no additional criminal charges stemming from those 10 reviews had been confirmed.
Mooresville Adds New Access Safeguards
Following Snowman’s arrest, the department announced additional requirements governing access to its automated license plate reader system.
Campurciani said officers must now associate searches with an active case number and complete additional prompts when accessing the system.
The change adds another verification step intended to document why an officer is conducting a particular search.
Campurciani has continued to defend the legitimate law enforcement use of the technology, describing Flock cameras as a valuable investigative resource when properly used. He specifically cited their use in locating missing children and assisting criminal investigations.
What Flock Cameras Collect
Flock Safety operates automated license plate reader systems used by law enforcement agencies and other customers.
Unlike traditional continuous-video surveillance cameras, the devices capture vehicle-related information as vehicles pass, including license plate numbers and other identifying characteristics. Agencies can then search collected data as part of investigations.
According to the Associated Press, thousands of law enforcement agencies across 49 states have access to Flock systems or data-sharing networks. Supporters cite their use in locating missing persons and identifying suspects, while civil liberties organizations and other critics have raised concerns about mass location tracking, data sharing and unauthorized searches.
Flock Announces Nationwide Safeguard Changes
Since Snowman’s arrest, Flock Safety has announced broader changes to its platform in response to concerns involving privacy and documented misuse.
The company said law enforcement customers will be required to implement an auditing system designed to flag abnormal search behavior. Flock also plans to require searches to be linked to a records-management case code and reduce its standard data-retention period from 30 days to seven days, with certain evidence connected to investigations eligible for longer preservation.
According to the Associated Press, many of the new mandatory safeguards are expected to take effect by Jan. 1.
Flock has said misuse of its technology is unacceptable and that auditing tools can help agencies identify improper searches.
Privacy Debate and Opposition to ALPR Systems
The allegations in Mooresville come as automated license plate readers face increased scrutiny nationwide.
Privacy and civil liberties advocates have argued that widespread ALPR networks can allow government agencies to reconstruct individuals’ movements without traditional investigative methods or judicial authorization. The ACLU has advocated for stronger restrictions on how the technology is accessed and how vehicle-location data is stored and shared.
At the same time, law enforcement agencies have cited cases in which license plate readers assisted officers in finding missing people, locating stolen vehicles and identifying suspects wanted in serious crimes.
Flock cameras have also become targets of vandalism in several states. ABC News reported that dozens of cameras were damaged in the Dallas area and that a newly installed camera in Garfield County, Utah, was vandalized.
Activists are holding a National Week of Action Against ALPRs from Aug. 16 through Aug. 22, with events opposing automated license plate reader surveillance taking place in communities around the country.
Law enforcement authorities and Flock have distinguished lawful protest from destruction of equipment, with Flock stating that damaging cameras can interfere with investigations and alerts involving missing persons and violent-crime suspects.
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Current Status
As of Aug. 18, 2026:
- Elizabeth Anne Snowman has been charged with a misdemeanor computer access offense related to alleged misuse of Mooresville’s Flock system.
- Police allege she accessed the system 31 times for personal reasons, including tracking her boyfriend’s ex-wife.
- At least two alleged accesses reportedly occurred while Snowman was off duty.
- Snowman is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 27.
- Mooresville police have reviewed 10 additional potential misuse cases, with three initially identified as requiring deeper investigation.
- The department has added a requirement tying Flock searches to active case numbers and additional access prompts.
- Flock Safety has separately announced broader nationwide auditing, case-linking and data-retention changes for law enforcement customers.
Snowman is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Elizabeth Snowman accused of doing?
Mooresville police allege Snowman accessed the department’s Flock license plate reader system 31 times for personal purposes and used the system to obtain information about or track her boyfriend’s ex-wife.
What charge does Snowman face?
She was charged with a misdemeanor computer access offense and received a $5,000 secured bond, according to public reporting.
Has Snowman been convicted?
No. The charge is an allegation, and Snowman has not been convicted based on the public information reviewed for this report.
When is her next court date?
ABC News reported that Snowman is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 27.
Are other Mooresville officers being investigated?
Yes. Chief Ron Campurciani said the department was reviewing 10 additional potential misuse cases and that three appeared to require deeper investigation.
What safeguards did Mooresville add?
The department said officers must now associate Flock searches with an active case number and complete additional prompts when accessing the system.
Is Flock Safety changing its system nationwide?
Yes. Flock has announced additional safeguards for law enforcement customers, including mandatory abnormal-search auditing, links between searches and case codes, and a shorter standard data-retention period.
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