Hood County Constable John D. Shirley used his Facebook page on Saturday to inform residents that the county’s three Flock license‑plate reader cameras have been covered and unplugged. Shirley wrote that the devices were “constantly scanning and recording regular folks just going about their day” and that such permanent, warrantless tracking does not belong in a free society.
Reason for the shutdown
Shirley said the action was taken to protect the privacy of Hood County citizens. “By unplugging and covering them, we’re making it clear: privacy isn’t optional, and mass surveillance isn’t how we do things here,” he posted. The constable framed the move as a defense of individual liberty and a response to growing public opposition to the technology.
County officials’ role
According to Hood County Sheriff Roger Deeds, Shirley requested permission from the Hood County Commissioners Court to cover the cameras. The court approved the request after the county cancelled its contract with Flock because the company failed to install new cameras as required. Deeds declined to comment further on the decision.
Background on Flock cameras
Flock Safety’s AI‑assisted cameras capture a vehicle’s license plate, description, time and date as it passes by. The company, founded in Atlanta in 2017, markets the technology to law‑enforcement agencies, homeowner associations and businesses. More than 650 Flock cameras are installed across Dallas, and the devices have been credited with solving cases, such as the 2022 Grand Prairie pursuit that ended with the death of Officer Brandon Tsai.
Supporters, including the Dallas Police Department, argue the cameras are critical investigative tools that help locate stolen vehicles, locate suspects and improve overall public safety. Critics across the political spectrum, however, raise concerns about data misuse, retention periods and the potential for mass surveillance without a warrant.
Public reaction and legislative response
Public opposition to the cameras has grown in recent months. Dozens of cameras in Dallas have been vandalized, and community members have called for tighter rules or outright removal. In response to reports of police misuse, Flock announced it would increase oversight and shorten the default retention period for movement data. The company also waived most costs associated with replacing vandalized units in Dallas.
At the federal level, North Texas Congressman Keith Self introduced legislation to limit how federal agencies can access license‑plate reader data, emphasizing that privacy deserves greater protection. A crowd‑sourced map of Flock camera locations is available at DeFlock.org for residents who wish to see where the devices are installed.
Implications for Hood County
The constable’s decision underscores a local‑government effort to balance public‑safety technology with constitutional privacy rights. By removing the cameras, Hood County officials signal a commitment to protecting citizens from what they describe as unwarranted surveillance while still leaving open the possibility of alternative tools that respect individual liberty.
Original reporting: Richardson, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
