This was the response to some written concerns placed by some community members regarding the Flock cameras in the 1-8-26 city council meeting. The consent agenda was to move forward with the installation of more flock cameras on TxDOT right of ways. There was no acknowledgement of these concerns. These cameras are being put up with our tax dollars on a consent agenda but they are not even considering the consent of the people. There has been no advertisement of these cameras being used on the people of this town. Each camera is a $3000 per year subscriptions, not including the cost of the camera itself. Big brother bought and subscribed to by YOU.
City Council Doesn't Care About Your Consent #Flock
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Last: 1 hr ago by txyaloo
This was the response to some written concerns placed by some community members regarding the Flock cameras in the 1-8-26 city council meeting. The consent agenda was to move forward with the installation of more flock cameras on TxDOT right of ways. There was no acknowledgement of these concerns. These cameras are being put up with our tax dollars on a consent agenda but they are not even considering the consent of the people. There has been no advertisement of these cameras being used on the people of this town. Each camera is a $3000 per year subscriptions, not including the cost of the camera itself. Big brother bought and subscribed to by YOU.
Old Army has gone to hell.
Trying to decide if I have any flocks to give.
I guess this would make me angry. I'll check back later.
I guess this would make me angry. I'll check back later.
www.southpawprecision.com
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These need to be struck down like red light cameras were.
Colonel Kurtz said:
These need to be struck down like red light cameras were.
Hard to imagine, they're a pretty different issue. You have no right to privacy on a public roadway. Maybe you have an argument with how the data is used? But probably not.
JobSecurity said:Colonel Kurtz said:
These need to be struck down like red light cameras were.
Hard to imagine, they're a pretty different issue. You have no right to privacy on a public roadway. Maybe you have an argument with how the data is used? But probably not.
They are tying everything to this system. Look up Flock Nova. They are making it to where your phones MAID (mobile advertising ID) and all sorts of other personal information is linked just to the license plate. Ya'll bring the "no privacy in public" comments all you want but that doesn't mean over reach isn't happening. And yes, you can bring up that Apple and Google are already doing this, but that infrastructure is already in place. At least since my generation inherited it, but these cameras are new and being implemented into society and unlike the older generation, I don't want to sit around and "let it happen" because of laziness or some BS excuse like "we have no privacy in public places".
Coo coo kachoo
The City of Fulshear has these up at all major entries to the city. Everyone loves them.Our HOA has recently installed several.
For background, courtesy of ChatGPT:
Here's a clear, balanced overview of what Flock Safety cameras are and why they're generating both support and strong pushback in many communities.
What "Flock cameras" Actually Are
Most of the systems being installed in U.S. cities are AI-powered Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras.
They're designed to:
Supporters Say They Improve Public Safety
Local police departments and city officials in some places report positive results:
Reduced auto theft and vehicle-related crimes
Communities like Oakland have said arrests and recoveries went up after deployment.
Faster identification of suspect vehicles
Law enforcement can search for a specific plate without manually reviewing hours of video.
Key Concerns Raised by Residents
1. Privacy and Mass Surveillance
Flock systems collect data on all vehicles not just criminals. That means the movement patterns of everyday residents get logged.
Some residents feel this amounts to continuous tracking without consent, especially when there's little transparency about how long data is kept or who can query it.
2. Data Sharing and Access
While Flock says local agencies own the data, critics worry it ends up accessible to:
This kind of access especially involving federal or out-of-state agencies has triggered official pushes to limit or prohibit data transfers in some states.
3. Transparency and Public Input
Many residents complain that camera installations happen with minimal public notice or debate. People often only find out after cameras are already up.
4. Surveillance Beyond Roads
There have been reports from residents claiming cameras pointed in odd directions (e.g., parks instead of streets), leading to fears about function-creep (surveillance beyond license plates).
5. Security and Data Protection Risks
There have been documented instances where Flock's systems or feeds were temporarily exposed or misconfigured, making them reachable without proper login protections.
Consequences in Some Cities
Because of these concerns, several cities have taken action:
Why This Is Controversial
Here's the tension many communities are wrestling with:
Supporters point to
Critics worry aboutHelping recover stolen vehicles quickly
Constant, broad collection of movement data
A tool for solving serious crimes
Surveillance without probable cause
Efficient law enforcement resource
Data sharing beyond local control
Alerts based on plates only (no faces)
Cloud-hosted database could be accessed widely
Faster investigations
Lack of transparency or public input
This isn't just a technical issue it's about privacy, civil liberties, public policy, and trust in how data is used.
Bottom Line
Flock cameras aren't just "traffic cams." They're part of a modern surveillance network that logs detailed vehicle movement information and makes it searchable across agencies. That can be a powerful tool for police but many people feel it goes too far without clear rules, oversight, and limits on data access and retention.
Here's a clear, balanced overview of what Flock Safety cameras are and why they're generating both support and strong pushback in many communities.
What "Flock cameras" Actually Are
Most of the systems being installed in U.S. cities are AI-powered Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras.
They're designed to:
- Capture license plate numbers as vehicles pass
- Log the time, date, and location of every plate seen
- Upload that data to a cloud platform used by law enforcement
- Enable alerts when a plate matches a "hotlist" (stolen car, suspect vehicle, AMBER alert, etc.)
Supporters Say They Improve Public Safety
Local police departments and city officials in some places report positive results:
Reduced auto theft and vehicle-related crimes
Communities like Oakland have said arrests and recoveries went up after deployment.
Faster identification of suspect vehicles
Law enforcement can search for a specific plate without manually reviewing hours of video.
Key Concerns Raised by Residents
1. Privacy and Mass Surveillance
Flock systems collect data on all vehicles not just criminals. That means the movement patterns of everyday residents get logged.
Some residents feel this amounts to continuous tracking without consent, especially when there's little transparency about how long data is kept or who can query it.
2. Data Sharing and Access
While Flock says local agencies own the data, critics worry it ends up accessible to:
- Other law enforcement agencies nationwide
- Federal entities
- External partners
This kind of access especially involving federal or out-of-state agencies has triggered official pushes to limit or prohibit data transfers in some states.
3. Transparency and Public Input
Many residents complain that camera installations happen with minimal public notice or debate. People often only find out after cameras are already up.
4. Surveillance Beyond Roads
There have been reports from residents claiming cameras pointed in odd directions (e.g., parks instead of streets), leading to fears about function-creep (surveillance beyond license plates).
5. Security and Data Protection Risks
There have been documented instances where Flock's systems or feeds were temporarily exposed or misconfigured, making them reachable without proper login protections.
Consequences in Some Cities
Because of these concerns, several cities have taken action:
- Cambridge, MA paused and ultimately ended its contract after privacy and trust issues especially after cameras were installed without city awareness.
- Flagstaff, AZ canceled its Flock camera agreement entirely after local backlash.
- East Palo Alto and other cities have postponed or reconsidered contracts amid constituent and civil liberties group pressure.
Why This Is Controversial
Here's the tension many communities are wrestling with:
Supporters point to
Critics worry aboutHelping recover stolen vehicles quickly
Constant, broad collection of movement data
A tool for solving serious crimes
Surveillance without probable cause
Efficient law enforcement resource
Data sharing beyond local control
Alerts based on plates only (no faces)
Cloud-hosted database could be accessed widely
Faster investigations
Lack of transparency or public input
This isn't just a technical issue it's about privacy, civil liberties, public policy, and trust in how data is used.
Bottom Line
Flock cameras aren't just "traffic cams." They're part of a modern surveillance network that logs detailed vehicle movement information and makes it searchable across agencies. That can be a powerful tool for police but many people feel it goes too far without clear rules, oversight, and limits on data access and retention.
The data is public record and subject to foia requests. Get the license plate numbers for the city council members, foia their information, and post their travels online for all to enjoy.
You can extend this to other influential officials as you wish.
You can extend this to other influential officials as you wish.
TX_COWDOC said:
Trying to decide if I have any flocks to give.
I guess this would make me angry. I'll check back later.
Me as well. It's just able to recognize a license plate which is public domain, out there anyway. I'm not understanding the outrage above.
“Some people bring joy wherever they go, and some people bring joy whenever they go.” ~ Mark Twain
Whats with these Rookie drive bys?
Cargo Shorts FTW said:
The data is public record and subject to foia requests. Get the license plate numbers for the city council members, foia their information, and post their travels online for all to enjoy.
You can extend this to other influential officials as you wish.
Its a lot easier to find out the information you are talking about than going to the trouble of dealing with a foia. Not sure what your point is?
samurai_science said:
Whats with these Rookie drive bys?
Seems this is the only topic he posts about.
"If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without blood shed; if you will not fight when your victory is sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves." - Sir Winston Churchill
Ya know...if they tagged cars to owners w/o insurance and fined them i wouldnt be that unhappy.
aTm '99
wonder if they can catch Somalis that defrauded American tax payers in Minnesota?
otherwise, I see the public backlashing to this very quickly
otherwise, I see the public backlashing to this very quickly
I can see car thieves being against this
Old Army has gone to hell.
Sounds like the first step in the 15 city being activated.
And those Fulshear cameras have me on repeat. Lots of business down there.
And those Fulshear cameras have me on repeat. Lots of business down there.
samurai_science said:Cargo Shorts FTW said:
The data is public record and subject to foia requests. Get the license plate numbers for the city council members, foia their information, and post their travels online for all to enjoy.
You can extend this to other influential officials as you wish.
Its a lot easier to find out the information you are talking about than going to the trouble of dealing with a foia. Not sure what your point is?
What is this easier way to get peoples time, date, location and direction of travel for every trip made every day?
The flock data can reveal far more info than you give it credit for, and it is not private.
JobSecurity said:Colonel Kurtz said:
These need to be struck down like red light cameras were.
Hard to imagine, they're a pretty different issue. You have no right to privacy on a public roadway. Maybe you have an argument with how the data is used? But probably not.
This is not about privacy in public. This is dragnet tracking and surveillance that is the equivalent of someone following you everywhere and recording your every move. If it were an individual they'd likely be arrested for stalking.
annie88 said:TX_COWDOC said:
Trying to decide if I have any flocks to give.
I guess this would make me angry. I'll check back later.
Me as well. It's just able to recognize a license plate which is public domain, out there anyway. I'm not understanding the outrage above.
Would you let the government put a GPS tracker on your car and record everywhere you went?
ABATTBQ11 said:annie88 said:TX_COWDOC said:
Trying to decide if I have any flocks to give.
I guess this would make me angry. I'll check back later.
Me as well. It's just able to recognize a license plate which is public domain, out there anyway. I'm not understanding the outrage above.
Would you let the government put a GPS tracker on your car and record everywhere you went?
Her car is private property, not public.
You're not even in the same ballpark.
Sounds like lots of data that will be sold for a nice price
They have been extremely helpful in fighting crime. I'm a fan.
TAMU ‘98 Ole Miss ‘21
Bocephus said:
They have been extremely helpful in fighting crime. I'm a fan.
"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Ben Franklin
The argument isn't HOW effective they are. I believe they are extremely effective. I am so thankful they are being used for good now. But everything that was put into place for one of these two reasons, 1) good motives to temporarily boost our economy 2) reactionary to a major crisis, all had good intentions but have never left. The income tax of 1913 was intended to be a temporary tax to help us recover from WW1, and a lot of the 9/11 patriot act as well as a lot of the COVID 19 acts and powers are all still in place. You give the government an inch on temporary terms and they take a mile forever. They rarely role back power. SO, when these cameras inevitably become the backbone of societies crime fighting, and a tyrannical government takes power, its only a matter of time that we see the same effectiveness that allows law enforcement to find kidnapped little girls a couple states over, used to round up people based on race. The only way to prevent that from being a reality is thinking about the future and preventing these from being installed, even if they are extremely useful now.
Go into the city building on Krenek Tap and ask to see their roadway/intersection video display room. Wall to wall monitors a few years ago when we were invited to a meeting regarding condemnation of our property.
Go walk into public lobby of City Hall or any City of College Station office. Film in the public areas. All perfectly legal. Those public servants will freak out and call the cops. But they don't mind filming others.
These are the modern day Patriot Act.
Lots of data that will be inevitably be leaked when there's a zero day, or successful social engineering attack... or some developer leaves keys on a public repo. Systems are constantly under cyberattack - and admins don't take cybersecurity seriously enough. IT may not even be an attack, just a misconfig that exposes this tracking data
https://www.wflx.com/2026/01/09/flock-safety-exposed-live-police-camera-feeds-internet-data-breach-company-says/
https://www.wflx.com/2026/01/09/flock-safety-exposed-live-police-camera-feeds-internet-data-breach-company-says/
MemphisAg1 said:ABATTBQ11 said:annie88 said:TX_COWDOC said:
Trying to decide if I have any flocks to give.
I guess this would make me angry. I'll check back later.
Me as well. It's just able to recognize a license plate which is public domain, out there anyway. I'm not understanding the outrage above.
Would you let the government put a GPS tracker on your car and record everywhere you went?
Her car is private property, not public.
You're not even in the same ballpark.
The point
Your head
ABATTBQ11 said:MemphisAg1 said:ABATTBQ11 said:annie88 said:TX_COWDOC said:
Trying to decide if I have any flocks to give.
I guess this would make me angry. I'll check back later.
Me as well. It's just able to recognize a license plate which is public domain, out there anyway. I'm not understanding the outrage above.
Would you let the government put a GPS tracker on your car and record everywhere you went?
Her car is private property, not public.
You're not even in the same ballpark.
The point
Your head
You made a dumb argument. Don't be surprised when it falls flat.
Has anyone met the flockers?
( ...voice punctuated with a clap of distant thunder... )
( ...voice punctuated with a clap of distant thunder... )
MemphisAg1 said:ABATTBQ11 said:MemphisAg1 said:ABATTBQ11 said:annie88 said:TX_COWDOC said:
Trying to decide if I have any flocks to give.
I guess this would make me angry. I'll check back later.
Me as well. It's just able to recognize a license plate which is public domain, out there anyway. I'm not understanding the outrage above.
Would you let the government put a GPS tracker on your car and record everywhere you went?
Her car is private property, not public.
You're not even in the same ballpark.
The point
Your head
You made a dumb argument. Don't be surprised when it falls flat.
It only falls flat for you because you don't seem capable of understanding it.
Here's a hint since you seen to need one so bad: It's not about what property the device is on, it's about what it does. If you're not comfortable with a GPS tracker on your car, then a system of cameras that gathers data 24/7 and can track your every move should make you just as uncomfortable.
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