EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — The El Paso City Council voted to keep using AI-operated Flock cameras on Tuesday, rejecting an effort that could have blocked renewal of the city’s contract with the company that provides them.

City officials said the cameras are designed with artificial intelligence to search license plate data after a crime is reported. The city has 150 Flock cameras installed using more than a $700,000 state grant that expires in May.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the motion to continue the cameras passed in a 2 to 6 vote, with the majority of council members, including Mayor Renard Johnson, supporting the continued use.

The motion rejected an effort that could have blocked the renewal of any existing agreements with the Flock Group, which provides the cameras.

The El Paso Police Department advocated during the meeting to continue the Flock cameras, saying they make a difference when the department is short-staffed.

El Paso Police Chief Peter Pacillas said the system can speed investigations by using vehicle descriptions to narrow leads.

“So the system, the LPR flock system, takes a description of that vehicle, and we were able to take that and analyze that information and cut down the investigation and make the arrest of the individual basically in weeks,” Pacillas said.

City Rep. Lily Limon, who represents District 7, raised concerns at the meeting about how data could be shared under the contract.

“If you really read the flock contract, data will not be shared unless required by law. Can we agree on this? That’s where the back door can be opened,” Limon said at the meeting.

This is a concern Limon previously shared with KFOX14/CBS4 last week, stating that while she values the cameras, she wants more clarity about how the data is used and whether federal immigration authorities can access it.

“My focus is on how ICE is using this data? And then, in reality, is ICE able to access this data?” Limon said.

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