Guadalupe County ends Flock Safety camera contract due to vandalism costs
By
9 August 2026. [AI first draft. Verify every fact against the source before publishing.]
Guadalupe County Commissioners Court voted to end its contract with Flock Safety after vandalism of the license plate-reading cameras substantially increased maintenance costs. County officials stated that continuing the agreement would require an estimated $57,000 in spending through the contract's end, while terminating immediately would cost approximately $8,500. The decision will save the county more than $48,500, according to county estimates. The termination comes as the county faces a broader budget shortfall.
County officials acknowledged that the cameras had provided law enforcement benefits, including assistance in locating stolen vehicles, finding missing people, identifying suspects, and solving cases. However, they determined that the financial burden of repeated camera vandalism outweighed these public safety advantages. Under the contract terms, the county bears responsibility for replacing damaged cameras and continues to be charged for inoperative equipment.
The termination reflects a growing challenge for ALPR systems nationwide, where camera damage and sabotage have prompted some jurisdictions to reassess their contracts. The decision also highlights budget pressures affecting local government services. Residents in other counties can monitor their own jurisdiction's contract renewal dates and council meeting agendas to track similar decisions about surveillance technology spending.
Read the original reporting: WOAI.