Hutto City Council discontinues Flock cameras

19 September 2026. [AI first draft. Verify every fact against the source before publishing.]

The Hutto City Council voted on September 17 to permanently discontinue the police department's use of Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras. The decision followed an internal evaluation by Hutto Police Department leadership that identified concerns about data governance and artificial intelligence technology. Police Chief Jeffrey Yarbrough stated the city remains committed to evaluating tools used in public safety and how they are deployed.

The police department had already removed the cameras after identifying its primary concerns: partner agencies with access to Flock system data are not bound by the HPD's internal data policies. The cameras captured vehicle and license plate images that could be searched by law enforcement, with a 30-day data retention policy under city rules. During their operational period, the system assisted investigators in criminal cases.

Hutto's action reflects broader reconsideration of license plate reader technology in Central Texas. Liberty Hill's City Council voted 7-0 on September 9 to terminate its Flock Safety agreement, with cameras removed on September 15. Going forward, HPD investigators will rely on alternative resources and investigative methods to support criminal cases.

Residents and officials in other jurisdictions can check their local city council agendas and records to determine whether Flock contracts remain active, when renewal dates are scheduled, or whether similar evaluations have been conducted in their communities.

Read the original reporting: KEYE.