Tuesday night marked the end of Manvel, Texas’s use of Flock license plate-reading cameras, after the city council voted to cut the program entirely. The vote came without any opposition, with all members agreeing on the decision.
Mayor Dan Davis said the city would cover the cameras within 24 to 48 hours. Manvel will give Flock 30 days’ notice that it is ending its contract.
Tuesday saw several of the very council members who voted to approve a contract for 21 Flock cameras in 2024 come forward to speak against those same devices.
Council Members Shift
Garrett Rossi Knox served on the council when the decision was made, and he is now pushing for the cameras to be removed.
“I was on council when this decision was approved, but I would be happy to be a part of its removal,” Knox said.
Council member David Lands also changed his view.
“Flock obviously has turned out to be a huge machine that we were unaware of,” Lands said.
Mayor Davis Presses Flock
During Tuesday’s hearing, Mayor Davis asked questions of representatives from Flock. He told them he shares the privacy and abuse worries raised by the public.
Davis grilled the representatives, who appeared virtually.
Data Access Draws Concern
Manvel police said that 535 outside law agencies had access to the city’s Flock data. Most of those agencies are in Texas.
The rest are in Louisiana.
That number was reported at the hearing.
Steps to Removal
In the coming two days, the city will put covers on the cameras. After that, Flock receives its 30-day notice.
That notice period marks the end of the contract, at which point Manvel will cease using the license plate readers.
- The council votes to end the contract.
- The city covers the cameras within 24 to 48 hours.
- Manvel gives Flock 30 days’ notice.
- The contract ends.
Unanimous Vote
Every council member voted for removal. The vote reversed the city’s 2024 decision. That earlier vote brought the 21 cameras to Manvel.
“Flock obviously has turned out to be a huge machine that we were unaware of,” Lands said.
KTRK’s Report
The story was reported from Manvel by KTRK. Public worries over privacy and abuse prompted the vote.
The 535 outside law agencies with access was a key detail.
Within days, the cameras will begin to be taken down. The city has decided to conceal them.
Source: abc13.com
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