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Council schedules town hall after vandalism and public concern over Flock cameras
Summary
After residents raised privacy, data-security and environmental concerns, council confirmed a five‑camera license-plate reader system installed under a grant (one PTZ camera vandalized) and scheduled a Feb. 18 town hall with the vendor and police to answer questions.
Council members gave an update on the city’s grant-funded Flock license-plate reader (LPR) system and scheduled a town-hall meeting for Feb. 18 to let residents question the vendor and law enforcement.
Stephanie, the staff member overseeing the Flock rollout, said the city procured five cameras under a grant and that installation of one Condor PTZ camera was completed Feb. 4; she reported that the Condor camera was vandalized the night before the meeting and that installation of the remaining cameras is on hold until after the town hall. “Installation of the Condor camera was completed on February 4. … That camera was vandalized last night,” she said.
Multiple public commenters urged the council not to approve the system or to pause it. Jason Mayhew argued the system enables broad data aggregation and surveillance, and David Main warned data access and resale risks. Mayhew told the council: “I will ask not just to postpone the flock system, but to completely eradicate it.” David Main summarized: “Bottom line is Flock isn't for safety, it's surveillance.”
A council member who supported the system emphasized that these devices are license-plate readers, not facial-recognition cameras, and said the city retains control of stored data. “These are license plate readers. They're not doing facial recognition…it's only tags vehicles that are flagged as stolen or warrants,” the council member said, adding that the city stores data and controls access. The council encouraged speakers who raised concerns to attend the Feb. 18 town hall where a Flock representative and police staff will be present to answer technical questions about data storage, retention and access.
Council members also clarified the system will operate only within Bandera city limits and that the grant covered the camera hardware; the vendor provided a fifth camera at no additional charge when the quote was revised. Staff said vandalism is being investigated and that insurance would cover replacements under a reduced rate.
The Feb. 18 session is intended as an informational forum rather than a formal council meeting; staff asked council members to RSVP so quorum and posting requirements can be handled correctly.
