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Anderson County residents press commissioners on unmarked Flock Safety cameras, urge an ordinance
Summary
Two residents told the commissioners court that unmarked roadside camera units installed by the Texas Department of Public Safety are building searchable vehicle‑movement databases and raised Fourth Amendment and data‑security concerns; commissioners said they will seek more information and legal guidance before acting.
Anderson County commissioners heard lengthy public comment Wednesday about unmarked roadside surveillance units described by residents as license‑plate readers with artificial‑intelligence features installed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Brandon Cowart, who said he has lived in Anderson County since 1993, told the court he discovered multiple units and urged the county to ban the devices. “AI is now deciding whether you’re doing something suspicious or not,” Cowart said. He said the units build searchable movement profiles retained for a year on a private cloud and raised concerns that once the data leaves local control “there is no technical or legal way to unexpose it.”
A second resident told the court she found several solar‑powered, unmarked units near the civic center and soccer fields and said the lack of public notice and ownership markings amounted to “a failure in the fundamental democratic process of public consent and a breach of public trust.” She recommended that the county draft an ordinance requiring registration of surveillance units, standardized signage identifying ownership, vendor compliance with state licensing and insurance, data‑retention schedules and an option for the county to remove unregistered units.
Judge (speaker 1) and commissioners acknowledged the concerns and said the devices were installed through a contract with the Texas Department of Public Safety, and that the county itself did not place them. The judge said he has asked staff and county contacts to gather more information. Commissioner Chapin said staff and outside counsel should provide a written legal opinion before the court takes regulatory action.
The public commenters cited decisions in other Texas jurisdictions — including Hays County, Vidor and Lockhart — that have restricted or allowed contracts to lapse, and asked commissioners to consider similar steps. County officials did not commit to an immediate ban; instead, they said they would collect vendor and contract details and return with options, including a draft ordinance and legal guidance.
What happens next: Commissioners asked staff to research the installations and requested legal guidance and vendor documentation. No formal policy or ordinance was introduced or voted on at this meeting.
