Police officials plan to meet with Flock Safety’s chief executive in Dallas Wednesday to discuss the company’s surveillance technology amid national scrutiny over misuse and privacy concerns.
“I want them to explain what they’re going to do to protect us and their brand,” Police Chief Daniel Comeaux said in an interview Tuesday. “I do understand the concerns of Flock, but it’s so positive for the department.”
Dallas police requested the in-person meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, in part to urge the Atlanta-based company to adopt safeguards for police departments that lack policies governing the technology’s use and guarding against abuse. Flock CEO Garrett Langley is expected to attend.
The in-person meeting comes after Gov. Greg Abbott cited concerns about misuse in his order last month to pause state funding for Flock and similar license plate readers, affecting Dallas police and other Texas agencies.
Click here to read more on this report from our partners at The Dallas Morning News.
The department said hundreds of cameras that were set to be cancelled today will remain online as the city attorney’s office reviews the matter. The department is looking for additional funding to keep them in use. NBC 5’s Shannon Miller and Wayne Carter discuss.
The meeting comes after more than 300 Flock cameras used by Dallas Police were set to go dark earlier this month after an order from Gov. Greg Abbott blocked state agencies from spending money on Flock cameras.
The Dallas Police Department has reduced access from more than 1,500 outside agencies to 202, all located within Texas. DPD has also stopped sharing Flock data with federal partners.
City Council recently passed a new budget keeping $1.5 million in Flock funding for next year, rejecting an amendment to pull the funding.
Earlier this month, Dallas police highlighted how Flock cameras helped solve cases. Critics have called for limits on Flock’s use.
More than 650 license plate readers have been installed across Dallas as critics push back against expanding surveillance. NBC 5’s Meredith Yeomans has the story.
Vandals have even targeted Flock cams; the surveillance company announced shorter data retention and new oversight after a wave of attacks on its cams, according to NBC News.
The city of Plano disabled more than 90 Flock cameras after Abbott’s order rescinding state funding; their police chief wants the cameras back on, claiming they helped officers track suspects.
Plano police are now without a technology tool that the chief says helped keep crime down. NBC 5’s Alanna Quillen tells us more.
The city of Carrollton voted to extend and renew its Flock cam contract earlier this month.
The Hood County Constable covered and unplugged Flock cams last month.
Flock has become a political issue ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections that will decide control of Congress and the Governor of Texas. Critics across the political spectrum are calling for tighter rules or removal.
To see a crowd-sourced map of Flock cameras in your community, visit DeFlock.org.
The growing concern about police surveillance has reached rural North Texas.