Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux confirmed to FOX 4 that he will meet with the CEO of Flock Systems next week. The discussion will focus on what safeguards are needed to keep the department’s 300 operational Flock cameras from being misused by officers.
Current camera status in Dallas
Dallas originally deployed 321 Flock cameras, but 321 were turned off after the city lost a state grant that had funded them. Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered all state agencies to pause funding for the cameras on September 1, prompting the shutdown. The city has kept 300 cameras running through a direct contract with the City of Dallas, ensuring continued coverage.
Chief Comeaux said the Dallas Police Department has not observed any misuse of the Flock cameras since they were first installed. He emphasized that the upcoming meeting is meant to solidify policies that will protect citizens’ privacy while preserving a tool he calls “vital to our jobs.”
Plano’s experience with Flock cameras
In nearby Plano, the loss of the same state grant forced the police department to turn off 90 of its Flock cameras, cutting off access to the city’s license‑plate‑reading system. Despite that setback, Plano Police Chief Ed Drain highlighted that the department recorded its lowest crime rate in 2024, the year the cameras were first deployed. He added that crime numbers have continued to decline in 2025 and so far in 2026.
Chief Drain told FOX 4’s Peyton Yager, “They have definitely been a good asset for us. Flock is a very good tool but it’s not the only tool in our toolbox.” He noted that Plano does not plan to seek alternative funding for the turned‑off cameras but hopes to reactivate them when resources become available.
Local government decisions on the contract
Earlier this month, the Dallas City Council voted to retain its $1.5 million contract with Flock, allowing the 300 city‑funded cameras to stay operational. Only three council members voted to cancel the agreement. The decision contrasts with several other North Texas jurisdictions that have ended their contracts amid a broader privacy debate over the cameras’ license‑plate‑reading capabilities.
Wylie recently terminated its contract, and Hood County removed three Flock cameras in August. Princeton Mayor Eugene Escobar Jr. urged his council to reconsider using cameras that were originally obtained through the state grant program. Dallas County has also reported incidents of vandalism and damage to its Flock cameras.
What the meeting aims to achieve
The upcoming Dallas meeting is expected to produce concrete guidelines for camera use, data storage, and officer accountability. By addressing concerns early, the department hopes to avoid the kind of public backlash seen in other municipalities and to demonstrate that technology can be deployed responsibly under the watchful eye of local leadership.
Both chiefs underscored that while cameras are a valuable tool for public safety, they are part of a broader toolbox that includes traditional policing methods and community engagement. The conversation with Flock’s CEO will therefore be a key step in balancing safety, privacy, and fiscal responsibility for Dallas and its neighboring cities.
Original reporting: Dallas – Ft. Worth Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
