AUSTIN, Texas — Local leaders are weighing the future of automated license plate readers as more Central Texas cities end or pause their use of Flock cameras.
The debate over the cameras continues to grow, with cities reconsidering whether the benefits to public safety outweigh privacy and data concerns.
CBS Austin has been following this issue as Bastrop became the latest city to vote against renewing its agreement with Flock Safety. Austin and San Marcos stopped using the cameras last year, while Pflugerville turned its cameras off last month. Both Elgin and Manor have also halted or ended their partnerships with Flock. Just last week, Leander announced it is taking its cameras down.
Flock cameras are license-plate readers that police use to track vehicles. Law enforcement departments say the technology helps them investigate crimes and locate stolen cars, wanted suspects and missing people. However, the system faces criticism from community members who question the amount of information collected and who can access it.
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According to the city of Leander, when a car passes one of these cameras, it can record the license plate, the vehicle’s make and model, its color and the time and place it was seen. This data then becomes part of a searchable record for law enforcement to use.
Not every city is turning away from Flock cameras. Round Rock, Hutto, Buda and Liberty Hill are still using the devices across Central Texas.
The conversation over surveillance technology is ongoing in Austin, as the city’s technology commission is scheduled to meet today to discuss rules for public surveillance tools.