The future of Flock surveillance cameras in Kyle, Texas, may soon rest in the hands of local voters. Recently, the Kyle City Council voted 6-1 against terminating its contracts with Flock, which amount to $420,000 annually for 47 cameras and two drones. Council member Claudia Zapata raised concerns about privacy, highlighting that external law enforcement agencies conducted over 1.5 million searches using Kyle’s data within a three-month period.
Amid escalating privacy issues surrounding these cameras, several Central Texas cities have severed ties with Flock, with Liberty Hill and Bastrop being the latest to do so. Councilwoman Zapata, who stands alone in her push to end Kyle’s association with Flock, voiced her apprehensions during the recent City Council meeting.
Zapata noted that the city is bound by three contracts with Flock for the years 2023, 2024, and 2025, which provide the equipment at a significant annual cost. She believes that at least two of these contracts can be terminated by withholding funding in the upcoming city budget. “I understand that some places have misused it, but for a place that has not misused Flock, why are so many people opposed to it?” she questioned.
In contrast, other council members defended the surveillance technology. Katy Police Chief Jeff Barnett highlighted instances where the cameras had proven critical for local law enforcement, including a case involving a stolen infant. “In that split second of time, a person came along and stole that infant in that backseat. The license plate readers played a significant role in us quickly locating that vehicle,” he explained.
While Barnett assured that safeguards are in place to prevent misuse by officers, Zapata remained concerned about how outside agencies utilize the city’s information. She pointed out that, from January 1 to March 19, records indicated that over 3,000 agencies across 40 states accessed their system and performed searches, with only a small fraction of those inquiries originating from the Kyle Police Department.
Despite her efforts, Zapata’s resolution to cancel the contract was ultimately rejected. However, the possibility of a nonbinding referendum on the May ballot could give residents a chance to express their opinions on the continuation of Flock cameras. This public vote would not compel any immediate action from the city but could influence future decisions regarding the surveillance system.
The City Council is set to hold its final meeting before the budget approval on Tuesday, and Councilwoman Zapata is urging the community to share their views that evening before any resolutions are finalized.
