KYLE — On June 6, Kyle City Council voted to approve a two-year agreement with Flock Group Inc. to install an automated license plate reading system, which was previously presented by Kyle Police Department (KPD) Chief Jeff Barnett at its April 18 meeting.
The two-year agreement would grant KPD $50,000 a year and exceed no more than $100,000 over the duration of the contract. Fifteen cameras are planned to be installed at various locations throughout the city, which are to be determined at a later date.
Council member Bear Heiser was in support of the system, but requested for the council to be updated on how KPD will be using the cameras.
“[Updates would give us] a sense of whether it is working for us or it is not working for us,” said Heiser. “[It would also show] how we’re utilizing this system and is this worth the investment in the future as we look to possibly utilize technology more in other ways.”
Council member Michael Tobias’ solution was to make this part of the semi-annual update that the Police Oversight Committee will report to council. The committee, which was created through Proposition F earlier this year, has been approved by council and is awaiting member nominations.
In alignment with Heiser’s comments, Mayor Travis Mitchell wanted to clarify that transparency with the installation is crucial for the community.
“I do think that it’s important that we do have a pretty substantial public outreach to make sure the community is informed that we’re putting these cameras up on certain streets,” said Mitchell.
According to Barnett, installation of the automated license plate readers will begin this summer and are estimated to begin operating in early fall.
Kyle City Council approves a license plate reading system
— On June 6, Kyle City Council voted to approve a two-year agreement with Flock Group Inc. to install an automated license plate reading system, which was previously presented by Kyle Police Department (KPD) Chief Jeff Barnett at its April 18 meeting.
- 06/14/2023 09:10 PM
