What’s happening
Commissioners were set to support an amendment to a contract that would approve the purchase of additional automated license plate readers, or ALPRs, from security hardware company Flock Safety.
The contract, unanimously approved Feb. 11, was missing documentation, preventing the county from going forward with the purchase. An item was brought to commissioners for the July 29 meeting to amend the contract, which would allow the Hays County Sheriff’s Office to purchase the equipment.
The county currently has five ALPRs and a pending sixth camera at the following locations, according to HCSO officials:
- FM 150 eastbound and Hays City Store, 8989 FM 150, Driftwood
- SH 21 and FM 2001
- Hwy. 290 and Nutty Brown Road
- Hwy. 290 and RR 12
- Eastbound Overpass Road at Fire Cracker Drive
- CR 157 and Goforth Road (pending)
Locations of the new cameras, if purchased, are to be determined.
With the contract approval, HCSO would add four cameras to its current fleet.
What they're saying
During public comment, community members said they are concerned about the potential use of data gathered from the ALPRs. Some community members said they are worried about Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, using the data to target vulnerable populations.
Flock has recently faced controversy regarding sharing data with agencies such as ICE. HCSO Capt. Shane Smith said that the department shares information with law enforcement agencies if they request it.
Community member Eric Martinez said that he is wary of the ALPRs.
“In a moment where technology moves faster than policy, we need to proceed with caution,” he said during public comment. “It raises serious concerns about how this system could be used right here in Hays County.”
Sheriff Anthony Hipolito said he acknowledges the opposition, but said: "This is 100% about public safety. It is 100% about keeping our constituents of Hays County as safe as they possibly can be.”
Hipolito said the cameras are often used to solve crimes by tracking the license plates of wanted individuals and do not have facial recognition.
Commissioner Morgan Hammer said she supports the use of ALPRs to keep the community safe.
“I think at the end of the day we care a lot about our community, and we care about everyone remaining safe,” she said. “In my opinion, if my 3-year-old daughter is picked up, I want you to use everything in your power to find where she is at.”
What's next
The item was eventually tabled after some commissioners requested more time to look at the contract and engage with community members. The item will be discussed at a Commissioners Court meeting later in August.
Commissioner Michelle Cohen said revisiting the contract would give stakeholders the opportunity to understand the data and work on enforcing Hays County oversight of data sharing.
“I don’t believe we can ignore the feedback that was given in public comment and over email,” she said. “I really need to dig down into the data and see what the issues ... and concerns are and bring the community together to have those discussions.”
The contract came at a total of $32,600. An estimated $17,000 would come from the county’s general fund, with the remaining coming from a state grant, according to agenda documents.
Also of note
Other Central Texas regions have seen the use of surveillance systems and subsequent community pushback, including San Marcos, Kyle and Austin.
However, Round Rock unanimously approved a new Flock Safety contract to have 40 additional cameras to their current 30-count fleet.
