Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered state agencies to halt funding for Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras. The freeze arrives amid rising privacy concerns and political backlash over police surveillance, following an investigation showing a state agency spent at least $30 million on local camera grants.
Governor Greg Abbott ordered state agencies this week to freeze spending on the shoebox-sized automated license plate reader cameras that have rapidly populated communities across the nation as Flock cameras stir bipartisan fury.
The sudden funding halt follows a wave of public pushback regarding data privacy, government transparency, and the potential for official misuse amid privacy concerns. While supporters maintain that the technology is a vital asset for law enforcement, critics from across the political spectrum argue that the cameras threaten fundamental civil liberties.
Millions in State Grants Funded Thousands of Cameras
The state’s financial involvement in the surveillance network stems from a 2023 legislative measure. The Texas Legislature passed a law that raising auto insurance costs for Texans by $1 to combat vehicle theft. Over the past three years, that fee increase has generated significant revenue.
Led by a board mostly appointed by Governor Abbott, the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority used a significant portion of those funds to build out the state’s infrastructure. The agency funneled millions into grants, helping local police departments purchase and maintain equipment.
Grants varied widely by jurisdiction. According to state records, awards ranged from funding for local cameras to larger municipal rollouts. In total, the authority has helped install at least 3,200 Flock cameras since 2023.
Grassroots Mapping Reveals Massive County Concentration
Across the state, automated license plate readers are deeply entrenched. A database maintained by the Texas Privacy Coalition records more than 13,500 ALPRs in 218 of Texas’ 254 counties. Density heavily favors the state’s largest urban centers.
That heavy saturation has drawn sharp criticism from political figures across party lines. Texas State Representative Gina Hinojosa, a Democrat running for governor, criticized the administration’s past support on social media by stating that Governor Abbott brought Flock to Texas and urging him to stop turning the state into a surveillance apparatus.
Administration Clarifies Policy as Cities Cancel Contracts
Governor Abbott’s office moved quickly to clarify the state’s position as public scrutiny intensified. Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesperson for the governor, released a statement emphasizing that local municipalities drive the deployment of the technology.
“Almost all Flock cameras in Texas are used by cities, and those cities are increasingly canceling their contracts with Flock. To the extent that cities get any funding for those cameras, most of it comes from the federal government. To the extent any funding comes from Texas agencies, those agencies are clarifying that those funds cannot be used for Flock cameras.”
Andrew Mahaleris, Governor’s Spokesperson
Speaking on Glenn Beck’s radio show, Governor Abbott pointed to specific instances of abuse that galvanized the state’s crackdown. He highlighted an incident in Lufkin where a police officer faces charges for using the surveillance system to track a former romantic partner.
Citizens deserve absolute clarity on how local entities utilize these tools, Abbott argued, stressing that Fourth Amendment protections and personal privacy must remain paramount.
Company Defense and What Comes Next
Representatives for Flock Safety defended the utility of their network, emphasizing that the technology remains a critical asset for recovering stolen vehicles, locating missing persons, and solving violent crimes across the state.
“Flock’s technology is an important public safety tool for law enforcement agencies across Texas, helping officers solve serious crimes, find missing people, recover stolen vehicles, and support safer communities. We support thoughtful legislation and strong privacy, transparency, and accountability guardrails that ensure technology is used responsibly while preserving law enforcement’s ability to use effective tools to keep people safe.”
Spokesperson, Flock Safety
Available documentation indicates that privacy concerns and alleged data-sharing missteps have already triggered friction in at least three agencies in the Houston area and five agencies tied to documentation searches in North Texas.
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