Automated license plate readers, referred to as Flock cameras, are being deployed by law enforcement agencies throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth region to track vehicles on public roads. These devices can photograph license plates and collect details about a vehicle's make, model, and color. They also have the capability to recognize distinguishing features such as bike racks or trailers, aiding police in differentiating between various vehicles. In Tarrant County, there are at least 648 of these cameras in operation.
Flock Safety, the company that developed this technology, states that the cameras are intended to focus exclusively on vehicles and do not gather any data regarding the occupants. They do not employ facial recognition technology and are not meant for speed enforcement or issuing traffic tickets.
The information gathered by Flock cameras is kept for a maximum of 30 days before it is automatically erased. During this retention period, access to the data is limited to police departments, which determine who is authorized to search the database. Each access is recorded and linked to the individual who performed the search, ensuring accountability. The data is not available in a public database, and police departments can set their own guidelines for sharing this information with outside organizations.
With the growing use of these cameras, Texas drivers should be informed about their functionality and the related privacy and data retention policies.
Fort Worth is about 31 miles west of Dallas.
