Flock Cameras: How Many Are in Dallas, UP, HP?

Comment Automatic license plate readers, such as those from tech company Flock Safety, have sparked debate as officials weigh privacy concerns against potential public safety benefits. Flock Safety cameras capture license plates and vehicle characteristics, such as make, model, and color, as drivers pass the cameras. Dallas, Highland Park, and University Park are among the municipalities that utilize the automatic license plate reader system. The Dallas Police Department has said in a statement that the cameras are “an important investigative tool” used to “develop leads, identify vehicles associated with criminal activity, and assist in solving crimes.” The technology has also sparked concerns about surveillance and allegations of misuse in Texas and beyond. “I’m real sensitive to the concerns of my neighborhood, my district, who are really concerned about privacy invasion,” Dallas District 11 City Council member Bill Roth, who represents part of North Dallas, said at a September Dallas City Council Public Safety Committee meeting about resident concerns. “To the extent that this is a valuable technology to our police force, I want them to have it. However, this is a slippery slope if it is not handled properly.” After Gov. Greg Abbott halted state grant funding for Flock cameras in late August, the Dallas Police Department announced that the city’s 321 grant-funded flock cameras would be shut off. But following a meeting between Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux and Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley, those grant-funded cameras will remain on for now, keeping the total number of cameras citywide at about 690. “Technology can be an important tool in keeping Dallas safe, but we also have a responsibility to understand how that technology and the information it collects are being used and protected,” Comeaux said in a statement after the meeting with Langley. “(The) conversation allowed us to address our concerns directly and better understand the safeguards Flock has in place.” The city of Dallas retains data collected from the cameras for 365 days. A map shared in Dallas Public Safety Committee materials shows the highest concentration of cameras downtown and south of downtown. The Highland Park Department of Public Safety reports there are 11 cameras in the town, with data retained for 30 days. The town’s proposed budget information, which was released prior to approval by the town council, includes $58,800 for license plate reader cameras and system upgrades. According to town council meeting materials, the council initially approved the installation/implementation of the cameras last year. University Park’s fiscal year 2027 budget includes $57,750 for ongoing software agreements, licensing, and other costs related to the existing Flock camera system in the city, a spokesperson said. University Park Police Chief Bill Mathes said the city has 10 Flock cameras. Their data is stored for 30 days unless saved in direct connection to a case. Author Sarah Hodges View Profile Sarah Hodges is editor of People Newspapers. She wrote for The Kansas City Star , served in the Peace Corps, worked as a law firm associate, and spent more than a decade caring for her children as a stay-at-home parent prior to joining Park Cities People as managing editor in 2024. In her spare time, you can find her running, either around the neighborhood or to various kid activities. PCN PHN