Dallas "cancels" most Flock cameras amid blowback
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
The Dallas Police Department is among a slew of law enforcement agencies reducing their use of Flock cameras after pushback from activists and residents over privacy concerns and suspected police misuse.
Why it matters: Flock cameras are suddenly a big target of populist anti-tech, pro-privacy sentiment, along with the data centers fueling the AI boom.
Driving the news: Dallas police say they will "cancel" 321 of their more than 600 Flock cameras on Sept. 15. The department plans to keep more than 300 Flock cameras, saying they are an important investigative tool.
- Dallas City Council member Adam Bazaldua proposed that the city cut ties with Flock entirely and redirect the funding toward other initiatives.
Catch up quick: Flock has more than 120,000 cameras across the country, the company tells Axios. The cameras are used by public agencies and private entities such as homeowners associations and retailers.
- Last week, Gov. Greg Abbott temporarily blocked state agencies from funding Flock cameras. Cities can still fund the cameras themselves or through other sources.
- The Dallas Flock cameras were funded partly by a state grant.
How it works: Flock and other automated license plate reader cameras are placed on streets and highways and use AI to capture and store information like license plates, vehicle makes and other features.
Friction point: Advocates say the cameras help quickly track down criminals, making cities safer. Fort Worth police chief Eddie Garcia told WFAA the department has made more than 2,200 arrests since 2020 with help from similar technology.
- Opponents from across the political spectrum say they're a form of constant surveillance that infringes on residents' civil liberties. Some have even turned to sabotaging the cameras and plotting their locations on a map.
Zoom out: Wylie's City Council voted last week to end the city's contract with Flock but expressed a willingness to reconsider the cameras if the company makes changes.
- Princeton Mayor Eugene Escobar Jr. said he will ask city officials to pause on installing more Flock cameras until there is "more protection in place for the residents."
The other side: Fort Worth police say their Flock camera program has several funding sources and will continue operating "without disruption."
- "We remain committed to utilizing the technology responsibly to enhance public safety," department spokesperson Daniel Segura tells Axios.
What's next: Flock says it's improving its privacy, security and accountability features.