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 unanimously voted to place this question on the ballot, marking a significant moment as it is believed to be one of the first instances in Texas where a city has sought voter input on such a program.
The proposition will ask whether the city should continue utilizing the automated license plate readers, with the police department currently operating 55 active cameras and an additional 16 awaiting permits. While the referendum is non-binding, the City Council will retain the authority to make final decisions about the program's future.
Mayor Nick Long, who proposed the referendum, acknowledged the cameras' effectiveness in solving serious crimes but also highlighted privacy concerns related to data access. This initiative follows reported misuse of similar cameras in nearby cities, which has intensified discussions about privacy in League City.
Flock's cameras capture license plate images and track vehicle locations, with data accessible by police departments across Texas. The outcome of this vote could have implications for other Texas cities employing similar systems, as most have implemented them without public voting.
