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Speakers urge council to end non-safety traffic stops and curtail HPDs ALPR/ICE data sharing
Summary
During public comment a large group of advocates, tenants and residents urged the council to prohibit non-safety traffic stops, cancel the citys Flock Safety camera contract and end HPDs collaborations with ICE, citing racial profiling, deportations and surveillance risks.
A long block of public comment on Oct. 28 focused on policing tactics and surveillance technology, with dozens of speakers asking the Houston City Council to end non-safety traffic stops, terminate collaboration between Houston Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and cancel the citys contract for Flock Safety license-plate readers.
Multiple speakers described non-safety stops -- stops for vehicle equipment or administrative infractions such as expired registration or defective lights -- as pretexts that disproportionately target Black, brown and immigrant drivers. "These aren't safety stops," said Victor Mendoza of Pure Justice. "They are being stopped because of who they are and where they come from."
Several witnesses said records show HPD contact with ICE has dramatically increased and cited specific incident counts shared during testimony. Critics also raised privacy concerns about license-plate readers and the resale of data by private vendors. Alfredo Dominguez, with Rights Using Campaign, argued Flock-style cameras create mass surveillance and urged the council to cancel the contract.
City leaders responded in different ways during the meeting. Council members said they would press department leaders for transparency about HPD practices and data-sharing agreements. The council did not vote on changes to police procedures or on the Flock contract at this meeting.
What callers asked for: ordinances to prohibit non-safety traffic stops, an immediate end to HPD-ICE data sharing, cancellation of the Flock Safety contract and stronger public oversight and transparency.
What the council can do next: staff briefings and proposed ordinances were suggested by multiple council members and advocates; stakeholders asked for publicly posted HPD data about traffic stops, ICE referrals and policies governing access to camera footage.
