Harris County Commissioner Decommissions 61 Surveillance Cameras
Commissioner Lesley Briones covered 61 Flock Safety license plate readers in Precinct 4 following privacy concerns and reports of system misuse.
Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones decommissioned 61 Flock Safety surveillance cameras and license plate readers on October 8, 2026. The devices, located across nine parks and facilities in western Harris County, were covered after residents raised concerns regarding data privacy, AI usage, and the private ownership of collected data. Briones stated that while the tools can be useful, the current system presents serious issues.
The decommissioning occurs amid a wider county-wide controversy over the technology. In August, three Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies were suspended for allegedly misusing the system. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has since ordered a report on the technology's use and questioned the county's contract with Flock Safety. County Attorney Abbie Kamin clarified that commissioners maintain discretion over device usage under the existing agreement.
Reactions to the move are divided. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez defended the efficacy of the readers in recovering stolen vehicles and thwarting kidnappings, though he acknowledged the technology is subject to abuse. Conversely, Steve Radack, a former Houston Police Department sergeant and political opponent of Briones, argued that shutting down the cameras hinders crime investigations in public parks. The Harris County Commissioners Court is scheduled to discuss privacy concerns regarding the system on October 15.
