Bandera council votes to deactivate city Flock cameras, stops further city installations

After extensive public comment and debate over grant language and invoices, the Bandera City Council voted 3–2 on May 12 to deactivate and remove city-owned Flock block cameras tied to the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA) grant and to discontinue installation of any new city block cameras under that grant.

Council member Deanna moved that the city "deactivate and remove any currently installed city block cameras and discontinue installation of any new block cameras in the city." Debbie seconded the motion. Chair recorded the roll-call outcome as Debbie, Tammy and Deanna voting in favor and Jeff and Lynn opposed; the motion passed.

The discussion preceding the vote included council questions about invoice amounts, whether the grant application constituted a contract with the vendor, reimbursement timing and whether the city had received and approved work consistent with the original application. Council members and staff disagreed over the invoice and installation counts; staff said the city paid an invoice in March for several units and that reimbursement would occur quarterly once the paid invoice had been submitted for reimbursement.

Supporters of removal pointed to privacy, legal and community-acceptance concerns raised in public comment. Opponents said cameras aid law enforcement and help capture stolen vehicles and violent-crime suspects. The council recorded no immediate plan to return grant funds; staff said the city had paid an invoice and would forfeit reimbursement for amounts already invoiced if the city reversed course.

The motion applies specifically to city-installed block cameras tied to the grant; cameras owned and operated by TxDOT on state highways were described at the meeting as outside the city's control. After the vote the chair announced a brief recess.