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Hood County approves state grant to expand license-plate-reader cameras amid privacy debate
Summary
After prolonged public testimony and technical questioning, the Hood County Commissioners Court approved acceptance of a $131,000 state grant to expand license-plate-reader cameras, but did so amid calls for policy revisions, greater oversight and clarification about data ownership and retention.
The Hood County Commissioners Court voted March 11 to accept a $131,000 grant intended to expand license-plate-reader (LPR) cameras and related tools to help motor‑vehicle‑crime investigations, approving the county judge to sign the grant acceptance with safeguards discussed during the meeting.
What was proposed: Sheriff Deeds described the grant as a tool to help law enforcement quickly locate stolen vehicles and vulnerable missing persons. He said broader access and layered auditing by elected law-enforcement officials would be used as oversight.
Public concerns and vendor response: The item produced one of the meeting's longest debates. Opponents raised privacy and civil‑liberty concerns, pointing to third‑party…
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