Dallas police have sharply cut who can tap the city’s Flock license-plate camera network, reducing outside access from more than 1,500 agencies to 202 in Texas and stopping shares with federal partners, NBC 5 reported.
The Dallas Police Department confirmed the change as city leaders weigh crime-fighting use against privacy concerns. Dallas operates more than 670 Flock cameras that scan plates and can help locate vehicles tied to violent crime, stolen cars and missing people, according to NBC 5.
The Public Safety Committee heard an update Monday, six days after the City Council signaled support for keeping $1.5 million in Flock funding next year. Council member Kathy Stewart said misuse has to be the focus so the public can trust the tool. She also said she does not believe potential misuse outweighs its value.
Deputy Chief William Griffith told the committee the department’s 365-day data retention policy has helped solve more business robberies and 13 murders this year. He said police are aware of community concerns.
Gov. Greg Abbott pulled state funding after reported misuse of Flock systems in other cities, NBC 5 reported. As a result, 321 Dallas cameras are set to go dark next week. That does not automatically end the remaining city-funded cameras.
Trevor Chandler of Flock Safety told council members that each agency owns its data and decides how widely to share it. He said the company is rolling out faster audits to flag unusual searches.
Residents will not see a different camera on the street overnight; the shift is about who else can query Dallas data.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
