While not fully functional or live at this time, the system is being installed and tested, with the expectation to be operational in August.
What it means
Flock Safety Cameras are license plate reading devices that capture an image of a vehicle's plate as it passes. According to the business website, the cameras do not capture any identifying information about the driver or passengers in the vehicle, and the cameras do not record video.
If the cameras identify a license plate that is within a law enforcement database, an alert is sent to the Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department. Cameras will not be used for issuing traffic citations, and captured photos are stored for 30 days unless part of an active investigation.
The nine cameras across the city are located at the following locations:
- 329 Ammann Rd
- 31299 Ralph Fair Rd at Amman Rd – Southbound
- 27996 Ralph Fair Rd – Northbound
- Fair Oaks Pkwy at Leslie Pfeiffer – Northbound
- Fair Oaks Pkwy at Leslie Pfeiffer – Southbound
- Dietz Elkhorn at Old Fredericksburg
- Rolling Acres at Amman Rd – Southbound
- Fair Oaks Pkwy at Dietz Elkhorn – Northbound
- Fair Oaks Pkwy at Dietz Elkhorn - Southbound
City Council discussed the camera systems during the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget process.
City staff told Community Impact the system’s initial cost of $34,050 was specifically allocated in the approved budget, so no additional funds were needed from department budgets or other accounts.
During the previous budget cycle, city staff said the cameras would have an anticipated annual cost of around $27,000 per year, or $3,000 per camera per year, assuming no price changes.
According to the city website, the project fell within the city manager’s approved spending authority, meaning further approval and discussion were not required by city council.
This system is not unique to the city of Fair Oaks Ranch, with the city of Boerne implementing cameras and Kendall County considering grant funding to install the system.
