League City is set to present a referendum to its voters in November regarding the future of Flock Safety's automated license plate reader cameras. The City Council voted unanimously to place this question on the ballot, marking a significant moment as it is believed to be one of the first instances of a Texas city allowing voters to weigh in on such a program.
The proposition will ask residents if the city should maintain its use of Flock's automated cameras, which currently number 55, with an additional 16 pending permits. Although the referendum is non-binding, the City Council will retain the authority to make any final decisions regarding the program.
Mayor Nick Long, who proposed the referendum, acknowledged the effectiveness of the cameras in solving serious crimes but also raised concerns about privacy, citing potential issues with data access. The decision to place the question on the ballot follows reported misuse of similar cameras in nearby cities, which has intensified the privacy debate.
Flock's cameras log vehicle locations and are utilized by police departments across Texas. The outcome of the November vote in League City will be closely monitored, as it could reflect broader public sentiment on the use of such surveillance technology in other Texas cities.
