EL PASO, Texas – (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 El Paso City representatives unanimously voted to remove decommissioned AI-powered Flock license-plate reader cameras from within city limits, directing that the devices be taken down within 60 days.<\/p>\n
The vote follows continued debate over the city\u2019s use of automated license plate reader technology, commonly known as ALPRs. <\/p>\n
The Flock cameras can capture vehicle and license-plate information and are used by law-enforcement agencies to help identify vehicles connected to investigations.<\/p>\n
The discussion comes after El Paso police halted use of the state-funded cameras earlier this month, after Gov. Greg Abbott directed that state funding not be used for the technology.<\/p>\n
City representatives also unanimously voted to approve the item that would prohibit city officials from entering into new contracts involving ALPR technology.<\/p>\n
The measure could limit future agreements for license-plate reader systems while the city evaluates concerns surrounding surveillance, privacy and the use of AI-powered public-safety tools.<\/p>\n
The removal order applies to the city\u2019s decommissioned Flock cameras and gives officials 60 days to complete the work.<\/p>\n
Emily Schmalz reports on El Paso orders decommissioned Flock cameras removed within 60 days, blocks new ALPR deals (Credit: KFOX14)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
RELATED: El Paso City Council to vote Tuesday on removing Flock cameras<\/a><\/p>\n According to a report from The Texas Tribune, the city has 150 Flock cameras throughout El Paso, all funded through the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, a state-funded agency.<\/p>\n Rep. Josh Acevedo, who represents Central and Northeast El Paso, cited privacy concerns and said he wants the cameras removed.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are a lot of privacy concerns with them, so we need to make sure that we remove them,\u201d Acevedo said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the ideal thing is that Flock removes them, and if not, then we\u2019ll probably have to get a contractor to work on removing these within the next two months.\u201d<\/p>\n Acevedo said that even if council does not make a decision today, the city will still pursue removal.<\/p>\n \u201cBut then if they don’t go through it, then that’s when we have other ways of saying we are going to remove them. And then charge them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n El Paso Police Chief Peter Pacillas said the police department is already experiencing an increase in auto thefts.<\/p>\n \u201cJust since the time we shut down the fixed ALPR\u2019s out there our auto thefts have gone up 62%,\u201d Pacillas said.<\/p>\n Pacillas also warned the loss of the technology can slow investigations into serious crimes. \u201cSo, we have somebody who’s potentially still in the community that committed a capital murder,\u201d he said. \u201cSo it’s going to take even more time for us to be able to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n City Rep. Chris Canales said he still has concerns about the technology. \u201cFor me, this type of ALPR technology has significant downsides that, will have to be solved before something like this would ever go back into use,\u201d Canales said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnything to bring back that technology, either by flock or by a different provider, would have to come through approval of the city council.\u201d<\/p>\n Some residents said they support the council\u2019s decision but want more transparency going forward. <\/p>\n \u201cI’m very glad that they passed. I mean, city council should have had more oversight over these types of situations anyways,\u201d Ryan Anderson said. Christian Hernandez said, <\/p>\n \u201cThey can be used for good because they are a system. They can be used to help police. It’s just right now with specifically Flock people want transparency.\u201d Dave Espinoza added, <\/p>\n \u201cI’m very glad. It is concerning, though, that we have to wait, and it’s just part of the contract, until it’s commercially reasonable to be removed because they’re still out there.\u201d<\/p>\n Agenda documents show the cost of removing the cameras is still being determined by city staff.<\/p>\n RELATED: <\/a>EPPD halts Flock camera use; questions remain over data<\/a><\/p>\n