The Liberty Hill City Council has made the decision to unanimously terminate its contract with Flock Safety, following significant public opposition and concerns regarding privacy. The council’s vote, which resulted in a 7-0 decision, came after a thorough discussion among council members and feedback from local residents.
During the public comment session, several community members expressed their dissatisfaction with the Flock contract, prompting the council to take action. As a result of the vote, all automated license plate recognition cameras operated under the city’s jurisdiction will be removed immediately.
Context of the Decision
This move is part of a broader trend in Central Texas, where several municipalities have reevaluated their agreements with Flock. Recently, the City of Bastrop also voted to end its contract, while Pflugerville has opted to cover its Flock cameras pending a potential contract renewal. Additionally, both San Marcos and Hays County have terminated their agreements with the company.
License Plate Readers in the Region
Despite the growing trend to sever ties with Flock, there have been instances where license plate readers have proven beneficial. For example, in Kyle, such technology assisted law enforcement in locating a stolen vehicle that contained a baby.
This decision by Liberty Hill reflects a significant shift in how local governments are addressing privacy concerns associated with surveillance technologies in their communities.
