Hood County has shut down and covered its Flock automated license plate reader cameras after county commissioners and residents raised concerns about privacy and mass surveillance.
Constable John Shirley shared photos Saturday of the cameras being covered. He said the work of shutting down and covering the devices across the county was completed over the weekend following requests from commissioners and residents.
In a social media post accompanying the photos, Shirley wrote that the cameras were “constantly scanning and recording regular folks just going about their day” and that “that kind of permanent, warrantless tracking doesn’t belong in a free society.”
Hood County is located about 50 minutes southwest of Fort Worth. Flock Safety cameras, which capture license plate data and vehicle descriptions, are used by law enforcement agencies nationwide to help locate missing people, recover stolen vehicles and investigate crimes.
The decision comes amid broader debate in Texas over the technology. Flock Safety recently announced changes to its privacy practices, including reducing default data retention from 30 days to seven days and adding tools to flag potential misuse by officers.
County officials have not released a detailed public statement beyond the action taken this weekend. The cameras operated by the Hood County Sheriff’s Office are among those covered.
Privacy advocates have long argued that networks of automated license plate readers create a form of mass surveillance without warrants. Law enforcement agencies counter that the systems provide valuable investigative tools when used with proper safeguards.
The shutdown in Hood County marks one of the more visible local responses to the ongoing concerns.
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
