From The Texas Tribune · Ayden Runnels · · 1m 30s
Texas Flock Records Cost Millions
Public records requests for Texas police Flock cameras face steep fees, with some cities charging up to $2.3 million.
In brief
Public records requests for Texas police Flock cameras face steep fees, with some cities charging up to $2.3 million. Texas cities charge high fees for public records about Flock cameras, stifling transparency in surveillance systems. Originally reported by The Texas Tribune.
Public Records Fee
North Richland Hills charged $2.3 million for public records about Flock cameras, requiring upfront payment.
Flock Records Request
Phil Mynona filed public records requests for nearly 200 law enforcement agencies to understand Flock camera use.
Flock Camera Data
Flock cameras collect license plate numbers, make, model, bumper stickers, and dents from vehicles.
Flock Transparency
Flock Safety releases few details about cameras, leaving transparency decisions to state and local governments.
Lufkin Police Case
An officer was sentenced to 5 years in prison for 100 felony counts of abusing Flock camera data.
DPS Response
DPS initially provided Flock search data but later withheld records and challenged the request.
Flock Portals
Flock offers transparency portals for agencies to share camera usage and search data publicly.
Low Adoption
Only 59 Texas agencies use Flock transparency portals, representing over 2,600 cameras statewide.
High Fees
Some cities charge thousands for Flock records, while others provide free data to news outlets.
State Action
Gov. Greg Abbott blocked state funding and paused Flock installations after Lufkin case.
Public Records Challenge
DPS and Texas Department of Criminal Justice challenged record requests for camera locations.
Here's the gist
Texas cities charge high fees for public records about Flock cameras, stifling transparency in surveillance systems.
