Carrollton City Council members voted 6-1 Tuesday night to approve a three-year, nearly $1.2 million contract renewal for 82 automated license-plate reading cameras, despite strong community debate over privacy and policing.
The deal keeps the network of cameras, operated by Atlanta-based surveillance company Flock Safety, active throughout the city.
The decisive vote followed a packed public hearing at city hall, where residents lined up to express views on the technology. Supporters highlighted crime prevention and public safety, while critics raised concerns regarding government oversight, data retention, and mass surveillance.
Carrollton Police Chief Roberto Arredondo defended the technology during the meeting, framing it as an essential tool for modern law enforcement.
Flock Safety cameras capture license plates and vehicle characteristics—such as make, model, and color—rather than facial recognition data. The system automatically alerts local law enforcement in real time when a passing vehicle matches one linked to a stolen car, a missing person, or an active warrant.
