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Killeen Police to execute memoranda with state agencies to enable automatic license-plate readers; privacy safeguards highlighted
Summary
Chief Lopez told council the Killeen Police Department will enter memoranda with DPS and TxDOT to permit automated license-plate readers funded by a $400,000 grant and $100,000 city match; staff emphasized audit and retention limits and scheduled a May 8 town hall.
KILLEEN, Texas — The Killeen Police Department will enter memoranda of understanding with the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Department of Transportation to connect a new automatic license-plate reader system to state databases, Chief Daniel Lopez told the City Council during the May 6 work session.
Lopez said the department is implementing a Flock safety-camera system after Killeen was awarded a $400,000 catalytic-converter prevention grant from the Texas Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority; the city provided a $100,000 match. The system captures license plates and vehicle features — not facial recognition — and will connect to the Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC) once the DPS MOU and a license-plate-reader agreement are in place, he said.
Chief Lopez said the system’s use will be governed by written department policies: data will be securely stored, access restricted to authorized users, audit logs will record every query and images will be retained only for legally permitted intervals unless preserved for active investigations. He told council the cameras will be sited on public property and that no private-property installations are planned. He also announced a public town hall about the program on Thursday, May 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Second Baptist Church near the convention center.
Lopez told council that installation and setup would take about 60 days after final approvals. He said the city has executed agreements with DPS and TxDOT to provide the necessary access and right-of-way permissions for pole-mounted hardware on public rights of way. Council members asked about siting and privacy; Lopez reiterated that footage focuses on vehicles and that system queries are audited.
Staff recommended authorization for the city manager to sign the MOU with DPS to permit TCIC access, the license-plate reader user agreement, and the TxDOT multiuse agreement for equipment placement and maintenance. Those agreements were included in the consent agenda and approved with the full consent package.
Opponents and supporters alike can weigh in at the May 8 town hall; Lopez also said the department will provide transparency about access, retention and auditing policies. Ending
The department will finalize MOUs and technical connections after council authorization and complete permitting and installation; staff said there will be no additional cost to the city to execute or maintain the MOUs.
