# Harris County Flock Cameras: Access Chaos

> Harris County officials lack clarity on Flock camera numbers and access, risking privacy violations.
- Title: Harris County Flock Cameras: Access Chaos · Houstonchronicle
- Summary: Harris County officials lack clarity on Flock camera numbers and access, risking privacy violations. Harris County officials don't know how many Flock…
- Keywords: harris county, flock cameras, access control, automatic license plate readers, county departments, immigration officials, flock safety, harris county sheriff's office, precinct 4, flock contract, news, local
- Source: Houstonchronicle — https://houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/harris-county-flock-camera-use-report-22479181.php
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: harris county, flock cameras, access control, automatic license plate readers, county departments, immigration officials, flock safety, harris county sheriff's office, precinct 4, flock contract, news, local
## Flock camera system unclear
Harris County officials do not fully understand the extent of Flock Safety cameras deployed across the county.
## Patchwork access policies
Who can access Flock cameras and for what purpose is governed by a patchwork of policies, with some agencies strictly regulating access and others having no policy at all.
## Judge Hidalgo's concerns
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said they lack information on camera locations, which agencies have access, and if immigration officials have access.
## County staff recommendations
County staff must compile recommendations for how departments should regulate access to Flock data by February.
## Commissioners vote split
Commissioners voted 3-2 to direct county staff to compile recommendations on Flock access regulation by February.
## Six constables silent
Six of Harris County’s eight constables refused to provide camera information to Commissioners Court.
## No law enforcement data
No county law enforcement agency provided camera locations, and no elected officials attended the meeting.
## Flock map missing
Flock Safety has not provided a map of active cameras in Harris County, as required by contract.
## Precinct 4 withdrawal
Precinct 4 has terminated its Flock contract after identifying loopholes in the county’s agreement.
## Sheriff's office cameras
The sheriff’s office and 17 other jurisdictions own nearly 500 cameras through Flock networks.
## Privacy concerns
Residents criticize Flock cameras, citing Fourth Amendment violations and potential for misuse.
## Key takeaway

Harris County officials don't know how many Flock cameras exist or who can access them, raising privacy concerns.