The proposal would have amended the city’s contract with Flock Group Inc. to increase the number of LPR cameras from 14 to 33. City documents state, “This item will add 19 cameras to the contract for a cost of $77,000 bringing the total contract amount to $124,068.49.”
At a glance
The expansion was first brought to council Feb. 4 but was postponed for further discussion during work sessions, according to previous Community Impact reporting. Concerns from residents centered on surveillance and data privacy.
These concerns echo similar debates in Austin, where City Council recently moved to end its LPR program following public pushback, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
Flock Safety’s cameras capture still images, not video, of vehicles as they pass through their field of view, according to City Council documents. The system analyzes license plate numbers, vehicle make, model, color and issuing state. Data is stored for 30 days, which city officials said allows time for victims to report crimes and for investigations to proceed.
During the meeting and public comment period, supporters argued that the system assists in real-time alerts and criminal investigations, making San Marcos overall safer. Critics—including several council members—voiced concern about insufficient safeguards and the potential for data to be accessed by federal agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“I have obviously been annoying y’all since February on this issue and postponing it, I know, and I’m not doing so just to do it,” council member Amanda Rodriguez said during the meeting. “I’m trying to help y’all understand that, however you feel about the contract, however you feel about this expansion—it doesn’t matter right now. It is not the right time to expand this.”
A closer look
A Flock Safety representative said the company does not share data with outside agencies unless explicitly authorized by the data’s owner—in this case, the San Marcos Police Department. SMPD can choose to share real-time alerts with other organizations at its discretion.
However, Police Chief Stan Standridge clarified that the city has the option to grant “blanket access” to another agency, meaning that agency could view all LPR alerts—not just individual search hits. While it remains unclear which agencies have that level of access, council members said SMPD currently shares data with more than 600 agencies.
Several council members also voiced concerns that federal entities could subpoena SMPD for data, potentially compelling the city to release it.
Mayor Jane Hughson added that she was concerned about the possibility of Flock being acquired by another company in the future and changing its data-sharing policies.
“I’ve learned some stuff tonight that is giving me a really hard time to say that Flock is good for America,” Hughson said.
Hughson said she isn’t comfortable with expanding the cameras without stronger safeguards, but for now, there are too many unknowns.
What else?
Those interested in Austin’s discussion over LPR cameras can find more information here.
