Dallas Police looking for ways to keep over 300 Flock cameras operational as state funding ends
DALLAS - The Dallas Police Department says it is looking into ways to keep its Flock cameras functional after state grant funding for the controversial cameras ended today.
Dallas Police keeping Flock cameras
What we know:
In a statement to FOX 4, Dallas Police says 321 state-funded Flock cameras in the city will be turned off in ten days.
The department told FOX 4 they had yet to send the necessary ten-day notice to Flock Safety that they were canceling their contract for the cameras until late Tuesday afternoon.
State funding for the Flock cameras was due to expire today on September 15. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered state agencies to pause funding on the cameras on September 1.
Dallas Police say the department is exploring new funding means to allow the Flock cameras to remain operational. The 321 Flock cameras will remain in operation until September 25.
What they're saying:
Alison Hudson, a spokesperson for the Dallas Police Department, says the department still supports the use of automated license plate readers.
"The proof is in the stats as our primary investigative tool," Alison Hudson with Dallas Police tells FOX 4.
Alison Hudson
"We're using that technology to solve homicides, robberies, business robberies, assaults, and motor vehicle investigations," Hudson continued. "So we use the technology pretty much for everything that we do."
Dallas City Councilman Adam Bazaldua, who has been a vocal critic of the cameras, had no comment when asked by FOX 4 about Dallas Police attempting to keep their Flock cameras operational.
In a statement to FOX 4, anti-Flock camera group DeFlock DFW said, "At a time when Dallas is making difficult changes to employee health benefits to control costs, we believe the priority should be fairly compensating and supporting the city’s emergency responders—not finding new ways to fund a controversial surveillance network."
Flock camera controversy
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Dallas opts to keep funding Flock camera system
Dallas City Council rejected an amendment to eliminate Flock cameras funded by the city amidst a growing national debate and a funding freeze at the state level. FOX 4's Peyton Yager has more.
Local perspective:
Earlier this month, Dallas City Council opted to keep their $1.5 million contract with Flock, ensuring 300 city-funded Flock cameras will remain operational. Only three city council members voted to cancel the contract.
However, many other cities in North Texas have opted to cancel their contract with Flock amidst a nationwide privacy debate concerning the cameras' abilities to read license plates.
Wylie recently voted to end their contract with the company. Hood County voted to remove the three Flock cameras under its jurisdiction earlier in August. Princeton Mayor Eugene Escobar Jr., last week, called on city council to reconsider using cameras that were obtained through a state grant program.
Dallas County has had issues with vandalism and damage to its Flock cameras.
What's next:
The 321 formerly-state funded Flock cameras in Dallas will be deactivated on September 25. 300 city-funded Flock cameras will remain in operation past that date.
Tonight, Carrollton City Council will vote on canceling their contract with Flock Safety that would end the use of 82 Flock cameras in the city.
The Source: Information in this story comes from the Dallas Police Department, Carrollton City Council and previous FOX 4 reporting.