Pflugerville postpones $87,500 Flock camera contract vote

15 August 2026.

Pflugerville City Council postponed a vote on extending its Flock Safety automated license plate reader contract during an August 11 meeting. The proposed agreement would have cost the city $87,500 annually to continue operating the cameras, which have been deployed since 2022. Mayor Doug Weiss stated that some council members were pursuing additional negotiations with the provider, making a vote premature at that time.

Community members spoke against the contract renewal. Resident Samuel Caswell framed the issue beyond camera technology itself, citing concerns about privacy, government surveillance, and accountability. Resident Samantha Bridwell emphasized the need for strong safeguards, transparency, and independent oversight when deploying surveillance technology. She noted that the system collects movement data on all residents, not only those suspected of crimes, creating a comprehensive database of travel patterns.

According to city documentation, the Flock cameras capture vehicle license plate images in key locations and do not use facial recognition or track individuals. The city stated the system is not used for immigration enforcement and operates only for lawful public safety purposes. Police indicated the technology assists in identifying vehicles connected to serious crimes including burglaries, stolen vehicles, abductions, and violent offenses.

Council plans to revisit the contract decision at its August 25 meeting. Residents can check their own city council agendas to see whether similar ALPR contracts or renewals are scheduled for a vote.

Read the original reporting: Community Impact Newspaper.