ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — A resolution calling on the North Carolina General Assembly to change laws that would improve transparency and allow law enforcement to release footage to the public quicker was passed Thursday by the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners.

The board approved the resolution by unanimous vote.

“Over the past 16 days, the Commissioners have heard the calls, the chants, the emails and watched the protest rallies. We are listening,” Pasquotank County Board Chairman Lloyd Griffin said. “The Commissioners and the Sheriff agreed that releasing the body camera footage to the public would have been best for transparency. Unfortunately, the law does not allow us to make that decision.  While all of us took an oath to follow the law, we also have a duty to try and change a law that’s imperfect. Today is the first step in that process.”

The resolution will now head to the state’s General Assembly while county board members and staff continue to work with local state representatives and other colleagues in cities and counties across North Carolina to encourage support for their own resolutions supporting the change.

To view a copy of the county’s resolution, click here.