Dallas police deactivating 321 Flock cameras after state funding ends

Half of Dallas's license plate readers go offline as state pauses funding, but the police chief expects they'll return.

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Sep 16, 2026

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Dallas police deactivating 321 Flock cameras after state funding ends

Half of Dallas's license plate readers go offline as state pauses funding, but the police chief expects they'll return.

In brief

Half of Dallas's license plate readers go offline as state pauses funding, but the police chief expects they'll return. Dallas is turning off 321 state-funded Flock cameras but keeping 300+ city-funded ones, with police hoping state funding resumes. Originally reported by Dallas Express.

Dallas turns off 321 cameras

Dallas turns off 321 cameras

Dallas Police notified Flock Safety it will deactivate 321 license plate readers after state funding ended. The cameras stay on through September 25.

State paused Flock funding

Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered state agencies to pause funding for Flock cameras last month. The 321 cameras represent about half of Dallas's total.

City keeps 300 cameras running

More than 300 Flock cameras funded by the city will stay operational. Dallas City Council voted against ending the city's $1.5 million Flock contract.

Chief expects cameras to return

Police Chief Daniel Comeaux said fewer cameras make tracking vehicles harder. He believes the funding pause is temporary and cameras will come back.

“My gut feeling is that it will come back”

Cameras helped solve 13 murders

Dallas police say Flock cameras helped solve 13 murders in 2026 and were used in 13% of business robbery cases. The system handles thousands of searches weekly.

“The proof is in the stats as our primary investigative tool”

Privacy advocates raise concerns

Critics argue Flock cameras collect data on drivers not suspected of crimes. Comeaux acknowledged misuse is possible but said violators will face penalties.

“I'm not going to sit here and tell you that no one will ever misuse the Flock system, but if they do, they're going to have to come see me and they'll pay a penalty”

Dallas limits data sharing

Dallas police now share Flock data only with Texas law enforcement, not the broader network. Other cities like Wylie and Pflugerville ended their contracts.

The big picture

Dallas is turning off 321 state-funded Flock cameras but keeping 300+ city-funded ones, with police hoping state funding resumes.

Read the original on Dallas Express

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