The Dallas Police Department announced Tuesday that it will deactivate more than 300 automated license plate readers from Flock Safety after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) directed state agencies to suspend funding for the roadside camera network. The move affects 321 cameras that were supported by state money, with the shutdown set to take effect by Sept. 15.
Despite the cut, the department stressed that the cameras have been an essential part of its investigative toolkit. In a statement posted on X, the department said the devices are used daily by detectives and officers to develop leads, identify vehicles tied to criminal activity, and assist in solving crimes. The department added that it will continue to review available resources and technology to ensure its personnel have effective tools for investigations and public safety.
The decision follows Abbott's order, which came amid a growing backlash against Flock's surveillance systems across the country. Texas is not alone in stepping back. Florida announced Monday that it would halt the use of Flock cameras on state highways. And in the Phoenix area, the suburbs of Tempe and Cave Creek both terminated their contracts with the company last week, with Tempe's mayor citing privacy risks.
Flock Safety has faced mounting criticism from privacy advocates and civil liberties groups who argue that the widespread deployment of license plate readers creates a de facto tracking network that can be misused. In response to the pressure, the company last month unveiled changes to its privacy and data retention policies. It shortened the recommended default data retention window from 30 days to seven days, introduced a new option for cities to control when other agencies can access their cameras, and now requires customers to implement an audit assistance feature designed to flag abnormal activity.
The Dallas Police Department's decision to keep more than 300 Flock cameras operating even after the state-funded units go dark suggests that the department still views the technology as valuable. However, the funding freeze represents a significant political shift in Texas, where Republican leaders have traditionally backed law enforcement tools but are now responding to constituent concerns about surveillance overreach.
The controversy over Flock cameras intersects with broader debates about government spending and privacy. As state and local governments grapple with budget constraints, the question of whether to fund such surveillance systems is becoming a flashpoint. The Tempe cancellation and the Florida halt indicate that the tide may be turning against the company, even as some departments like Dallas continue to rely on the technology.
The funding freeze also comes at a time when Congress is wrestling with spending bills and potential government shutdowns, though that fight is separate from the state-level decisions on Flock. Still, the political dynamics are similar: lawmakers are under pressure to justify expenditures and respond to public opinion. For now, Dallas Police will have to make do with fewer cameras, and the future of Flock's presence in Texas remains uncertain.
Flock Safety has not yet responded to requests for comment on the Dallas decision or the broader trend of jurisdictions pulling back. The company has maintained that its technology is a crime-fighting tool and that its updated policies address privacy concerns. But as more cities and states cut ties, the company's business model may face serious challenges.
