Brittany Kelley
SAN MARCOS — After weeks of community members flooding public comments with concerns of the Flock automated license plate reading camera system, the Hays County Commissioners Court has voted to end all contracts with the company at its Oct. 14 meeting.
The discussion on Flock Safety cameras began after the court initially supported a contract to add four additional cameras in February. Though, after discovering a page was missing in the contract, the item returned in court months later, resulting in discourse. Many residents stated that there had been research done on the cameras that have exposed its lack of privacy, sharing data with multiple companies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), stirring up questions on its intention.
After several delays on the vote over the last few months, an item to terminate contracts with the company was once again brought forth.
Prior to the vote, several residents voiced their opinions. The first of which was resident Sam Benavides, who stated that the commissioners should use the clerical error that brought the item back to court after its initial approval in February to make a change. Flock has been used by immigration forces in the state, she continued, and this is an opportunity “to resist the country’s steady decline into fascism and authoritarianism … I am asking you to stand up for our freedoms, for our privacy [and] for our communities.”
Resident Alyssa Graza also urged the county to discontinue its partnership.
“The Flock business model depends on selling the illusion of safety, not delivering it. It is reactive, not preventative and creates new risk, without solving problems of crime. Anyone taking the time to look under the hood or listen to all the folks who have come and talked on this or send emails or have done their own research can see the red flags,” she said. “Flock refuses to co-create even the most basic guardrails to prevent misuse. This isn’t about whether the sheriff’s office is acting in good faith; this is about whether a private corporation with a profit motive deserves the public’s trust when they’ve shown such little transparency.”
Though many were against the item, there were still some residents, such as Kenneth Rocha, who sent an email that supported the camera use. Rocha explained that he is a third-generation immigrant, yet supports the cameras, as paired with local guardrails, civil liberties and public trust will be upheld.
“In recent weeks, we have seen messaging in the community claiming that this technology will lead to mass surveillance and automatic access by federal agencies, including ICE. These claims do not reflect the actual authorities the commission holds. It’s not the tool that violates liberty; it’s how we govern it,” said Rocha. “I urge the court to support the continued use of this technology under strong, transparent governance and to continue to set standards that protect the public and respect civil liberties.”
Beginning the discussion amongst the court was commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe. She shared that she has received many calls and concerns regarding Flock Safety and that, as an elected official, she wants to be responsive to her constituents.
“I do not think there’s any denying that there are serious concerns,” she continued, adding that the county needs to look at the concerns and see if there are ways to improve. Additionally, Ingalsbe said that Flock was supposed to be at court to give a presentation, but failed to submit their paperwork on time; therefore, it has been delayed.
Despite her opinion on the cameras, Ingalsbe stated that she would like to speak to Hays County Sheriff Anthony Hipolito and see if he would be willing to implement changes, as she has received language that the American Civil Liberties Union has implemented in other states that she feels is reasonable.
Similarly, commissioner Michelle Cohen stated that her “consideration that I would like the sheriff’s department [to do] would be to maybe think about a formal solicitation of the service [to] see what else is out there, what other companies are doing, incorporate contract terms and oversight that we can manage and feel comfortable with. That’s what I would like to see moving forward.”
Commissioner Morgan Hammer stood firm in her support of the sheriff’s office, as she emphasized that this is a tool for them. It’s not about not understanding concerns, she continued, it’s about public safety, which she is not willing to compromise.
The Flock cameras are an issue of weighing the pros and cons, said commissioner Walt Smith, but, agreeing with Hammer, he stated that this is a tool for law enforcement.
“I’m not going to tell my law enforcement what tools they need and don’t need because they’re the ones building the house of public safety in Hays County and I will be supportive of them in that effort,” stressed Smith.
County Judge Ruben Becerra thanked God that a page was missing from the contract in February, as, since then, concerning information has come out about Flock cameras. He stated that there are zero concerns with the county’s law enforcement, it’s the lack of protection surrounding the data.
“Public safety depends on public trust,” concluded Becerra.
The item to terminate all contracts with Flock Safety passed 3-2, with Hammer and Smith dissenting.
To listen to the discussion, visit bit.ly/4olLcua.
