SLATON, Texas (KCBD) – Slaton Mayor Clif Shaw issued a statement on Friday addressing the city’s agreement to install Flock automated license plate reader cameras within Slaton.
Here’s a brief summary of his statement:
Agreement approved in July
The City of Slaton and the Slaton Police Department were approached earlier this year by the South Plains Auto Theft Task Force regarding a Mutual Cooperation Agreement for the installation and use of the cameras.
The Slaton City Commission unanimously approved the agreement and its accompanying resolution during its regular meeting on July 13, 2026. The matter was discussed in an open meeting, and no public comments opposing the agreement were received.
Installation previously authorized
City officials were advised that the Texas Department of Transportation intended to install the cameras regardless of whether the city approved the agreement. The installation had previously been authorized by the Lubbock County Commissioners Court in a 4–1 vote in 2023. Precinct 2 Commissioner Jason Corley cast the only vote in opposition.
Under the agreement, the city agreed to pay one-third of the installation and ongoing maintenance costs. In return, the city was given input regarding the placement of the cameras, and the Slaton Police Department was granted access to the system for legitimate law-enforcement purposes.
The city’s share of the installation costs was $5,950, and its share of the ongoing maintenance costs is projected to be less than $1,000 annually. These expenses were paid from the Police Department’s annual appropriation, which is funded through property tax revenue.
Trailer thefts cited
At the time the agreement was presented, Slaton was experiencing a series of trailer thefts. The mayor says if the cameras already been in place, they could have provided investigators with a tool for identifying suspect vehicles, locating stolen property and apprehending those responsible.
Because the cameras were expected to be installed regardless of the City Commission’s decision, the commission determined that participating in the agreement was in the community’s best interest. Participation allowed the city to help select locations for investigating stolen vehicles and trailers while seeking to minimize the cameras’ effect on the daily lives and privacy of Slaton residents.
City cites oversight commitments
The city said the decision was made publicly, with the goal of balancing effective law enforcement, public safety, local oversight and respect for residents’ privacy.
The City of Slaton said it will comply with all applicable laws, directives and requirements adopted or issued by the governor, the Texas Legislature and other appropriate governmental authorities concerning the use of this technology.
The Slaton Police Department said it is committed to developing and enforcing policies governing access to and use of the Flock system, which are designed to ensure the system is used only for authorized law-enforcement purposes and to prevent misuse or abuse by department personnel.
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