# 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.
- Title: Dallas police deactivating 321 Flock cameras after state…
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: dallas police department, flock safety, license plate readers, daniel comeaux, greg abbott, texas, surveillance cameras, state funding, privacy concerns, law enforcement technology, news, politics
- Source: Dallas Express — https://dallasexpress.com/city/dallas-police-to-turn-off-321-flock-cameras-as-chief-expects-return
- Author: Dallas Express
- Published: 2026-09-16T18:05:57+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: dallas police department, flock safety, license plate readers, daniel comeaux, greg abbott, texas, surveillance cameras, state funding, privacy concerns, law enforcement technology, news, politics
## 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.
## Key takeaway

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