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Residents urge Harris County to cancel license-plate reader contract amid privacy fears
Summary
Dozens of public commenters urged the court to cancel or pause the county's Flock Safety license-plate reader contract (item 2.53), citing a lack of transparency, risks of mass surveillance and recent local immigration enforcement concerns.
During a lengthy public-comment period, multiple community members and advocates urged Commissioners Court to cancel or pause the county's Flock Safety contract (item 2.53), which funds license-plate reader (ALPR) cameras. Speakers said policies are unclear about data collection, access, retention, and whether federal immigration agencies can obtain the data through local law enforcement.
"This is a mass surveillance system without administrative infrastructure to regulate it," said Mariah Deacau, urging cancellation until public-facing safeguards are in place. Other commenters cited investigations showing low arrest effectiveness and multiple searches not tied to law‑enforcement purposes. Commissioners acknowledged the public concern; staff said the item would receive committee-level review and discussion.
