Residents urge council to reconsider $4.1M Flock camera program over privacy fears

Elizabeth Salazar, a resident who said she had researched the technology, told the City Council the Flock cameras now being placed around Laredo carry surveillance risks and would collect continuous license‑plate, vehicle and (she said) person‑level data. “These flood cameras are continuously recording ... reading every license plate it catches,” Salazar said, adding the cameras use artificial intelligence to classify vehicles and people and could be misused without strong controls.

Another resident, Rosie Maya of District 6, said the project was rolled out without adequate public notice and flagged the mix of grant and local money behind it. “We've been sold out to a private company,” Maya told the council, saying the program used state grant funds and “a little bit over $1,000,000 of taxpayer funds” in local matches that residents were not told about.

Council members and the mayor stressed they had limited ability to respond during public comment but said the council intends to schedule a fuller briefing. One council member noted that roughly $4.1 million was tied to a state grant and said staff, including the police chief, will bring more detailed information to council soon so members can review the program's scope, legal controls and data‑retention practices.

The comments put pressure on the council to ensure any camera deployment includes clear written policies about data access, retention, auditing and oversight before operations expand. Council did not take formal action on the program at the meeting but several members signaled they expect a staff presentation in a future session.

The transcript shows the city has already been approached by residents and media about the technology and that the chief of police and other staff are expected to return with a fuller briefing for council consideration.