US Cities and Counties Review Flock Safety Camera Contracts

Local governments across Texas and Idaho are reviewing or pausing the use of license-plate reader technology provided by Flock Safety amid growing privacy concerns. In Texas, residents of Kendall County are petitioning the Kendall County Commissioner’s Court to remove 43 cameras, following a similar decision by neighboring Guadalupe County to terminate its contract with the company.

In Amarillo, Texas, the City Council voted on August 11 to pause the purchase of new cameras. Police Chief Thomas Hover will present a report to the council to help establish formal usage policies. Meanwhile, the Pocatello City Council in Idaho scheduled an August 14 work session to examine the Pocatello Police Department's existing program, which utilizes 34 readers.

Council member Hayden Paulsen is advocating for the cancellation of the Pocatello contract, citing an invasion of privacy and widespread abuses. The Pocatello Police Department defends the technology as a tool for finding missing persons and stolen vehicles, arguing that Supreme Court precedent means there is no reasonable expectation of privacy on public roads. The scrutiny in Pocatello follows reports of unauthorized searches for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and local vandalism of the camera hardware.