Full Breakdown
Texas Halts New Approvals for Flock License-Plate Readers on State Roads
By Drooid · · How we work
Background & Context
In late August, Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to stop funding for Flock Safety’s automated license-plate readers (ALPRs). The move followed a Texas Tribune investigation that revealed a state agency had allocated roughly $30 million toward more than 3,200 Flock cameras. Similar actions occurred in Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis ordered the removal of the devices from state highways, citing concerns about a “surveillance state.”
Data & Statistics
- Existing installations: About 900 Flock cameras operated by the Texas Department of Public Safety remain active on state right-of-way.
- Statewide presence: Estimates of total ALPRs in Texas range from 13,000 (multiple sources) to 13,500 (Texas Privacy Coalition). Harris County alone hosts roughly 3,546 cameras, Dallas County 1,334, and Tarrant County 949.
- Installation history: The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority reports that state and local agencies have installed at least 3,200 Flock cameras since 2023.
Official Statements & Responses
TxDOT clarified that its role is limited to reviewing permits to ensure cameras are installed correctly and safely; the agency does not install the devices nor access the collected data. A spokesperson reiterated that the suspension applies to both pending approvals and agreements not yet installed.
Governor Abbott’s office emphasized that the pause is intended to protect Texans’ Fourth Amendment rights and to ensure any future use of the technology is “responsible.” Abbott’s spokesman Andrew Mahaleris told Newsweek that most funding for the cameras comes from federal sources, not the state, and that cities are increasingly canceling contracts.
Criticism & Opposition
Texas Democratic Party spokesman Jacob Long argued that Abbott has turned Texas into a “warrantless surveillance state,” accusing the governor of expanding AI-powered surveillance without warrants and of “tracking Texans’ every move.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Camera counts: Sources differ on the total number of Flock cameras in Texas, citing figures of “over 13,000,” “13,000,” and “13,500.”
- Funding sources: While Abbott’s office states that “almost all” cameras are funded federally, the Texas Tribune investigation highlighted a $30 million state contribution to the deployment. The precise proportion of state versus federal financing remains unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We have continuously utilized this when people kidnap children and cross state lines,” — Kash Patel, FBI director
- “What Texans deserve, they deserve clarity about how these cities and counties are using them. Citizens are concerned about their Fourth Amendment rights. They have to be protected. Their privacy must be protected.” — Greg Abbott, direction of governor
What's Next
The TxDOT pause began in early September, according to a presentation by the police chief of Schertz. The suspension will remain in effect while the state reviews privacy safeguards and considers additional legislation. Law-enforcement agencies continue to rely on the existing network of cameras for investigations, and the FBI has reiterated that access to footage is granted only “on a case-by-case basis.”
