Bastrop’s Flock camera policy could soon include additional safeguards and a shorter data retention period.
The overview: During an Aug. 11 meeting, Bastrop City Council directed staff to return with an updated Flock policy, including additional safeguards. City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino said it would add “checks and balances,” comparing the goal to ensuring “the cashier isn’t also the one taking the money to the bank.”
On Aug. 13, Flock announced it cut the default data retention period from 30 days to seven.
Community Impact reached out to city officials to learn if the new recommendation would be part of the changes.
Bastrop Police Chief Vicky Steffanic said her department follows Flock's default data retention period, confirming Bastrop's retention period will also be recommended to change from 30 days to seven days.
What else?
Although officials would not provide details about what specific policies are under review, Steffanic said the BPD's rules are "consistent with applicable best practices and comply with requirements established by the state."
"Any potential changes to the department’s current policy are presently under review," Steffanic told Community Impact. "At this time, no specific changes have been approved or implemented."
What we know
According to the city's current policy, Flock can only be used for:
- Criminal cases: Searches must be tied to a criminal investigation
- No facial recognition: Cameras only capture license plate information
- Enforcement limits: Not used for citations or minor offenses
Looking ahead
The policy is expected to return to Council on Aug. 25.
Before you go
BPD is not the only local law enforcement agency using camera-based technology.
As previously reported by Community Impact, Bastrop County Commissioners Court approved on March 24 a one-year, $17,100 Clearview AI licensing agreement for facial-recognition software that officials said can help identify people involved in cases using publicly accessible online images.
