From The Texas Tribune · Ayden Runnels · · 1m 40s
Texas Keeps Flock Cameras After Funding Freeze
Texas cities retain Flock cameras despite state funding pause.
In brief
Texas cities retain Flock cameras despite state funding pause. Texas maintains over 300 state-funded Flock cameras after governor's funding freeze. Originally reported by The Texas Tribune.
Texas funding freeze
Texas halted state funding for Flock cameras after a small agency spent $30 million on over 3,200 devices.
Dallas keeps cameras
Dallas will reinstate nearly half its Flock cameras after a 90-day extension from Flock Safety.
Other cities extend
Addison, New Braunfels and Johnson County received 90-day extensions to keep Flock cameras funded by state grants.
Local officials explain
Officials said without Flock, they would have shut down cameras due to lack of state funding.
Political motivation
Johnson County Commissioner Rick Bailey called the funding pause 'very political' and said it was to avoid voter backlash.
Flock's pause
Flock Safety paused payments for 90 days to give departments time to find new funding sources.
Funding impact
Cities lost $150,000 in local taxpayer money after state funding was cut for Flock cameras.
El Paso action
El Paso voted to tear down 150 Flock cameras after state funding was removed.
State cameras
Over 900 state-funded Flock cameras operate across Texas with data accessed by 3,000 police agencies.
Political backlash
Rep. Gina Hinojosa blamed Abbott for Flock cameras, saying they were a key example of his influence.
Lawmakers react
Several state lawmakers plan bills to restrict or ban Flock cameras from being used in Texas.
Funding uncertainty
Cities face uncertainty about whether to keep cameras after the 90-day extension ends.
The short version
Texas maintains over 300 state-funded Flock cameras after governor's funding freeze.
