In a round‑table hosted by NBC 5 Justice Reporter Shannon Miller, the police chiefs of five North Texas cities — Dallas, Fort Worth, Irving, Allen and Grand Prairie — made the case for keeping automated license‑plate readers (ALPRs) while tightening the rules that govern their use.

Why ALPRs matter to local law enforcement

All five chiefs agreed that the technology helps investigators locate stolen vehicles, missing persons and criminal suspects quickly, often within minutes and across city lines. Grand Prairie Chief Daniel Scesney noted that the tools have been instrumental in cases involving missing children, violent crimes and stolen cars.

Balancing safety with privacy concerns

While praising the benefits, the chiefs acknowledged growing public scrutiny over privacy, data access and the potential for misuse. Fort Worth Chief Eddie García said, “We’ve seen cases in Texas and nationally of officers not using this information appropriately. We have to be honest about that.”

Rather than discarding the technology, the panel argued for stronger safeguards. Several chiefs called for consistent departmental policies, statewide standards and even a stand‑alone law that would impose criminal penalties on anyone who misuses ALPR data.

Industry partners and accountability measures

The discussion also touched on the role of technology firms such as Flock Safety, which provides the cameras and software. The chiefs said that companies can help prevent unauthorized access by offering auditing tools and clear data‑retention policies.

Since the interview, Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux met with Flock CEO Garrett Langley to discuss safeguards, auditing and data‑policy reforms. Flock agreed to keep 321 state‑grant‑funded cameras in Dallas operating for an additional 90 days while the conversation continues.

Public understanding and trust

All five leaders stressed that greater public understanding of how ALPRs are used — and the restrictions already in place — is essential for maintaining community trust. They urged residents to stay informed and to participate in any future public‑comment processes that may shape statewide standards.

As Texas continues to debate the future of automated license‑plate readers, the North Texas police chiefs’ message is clear: the technology can be a powerful tool for protecting families and neighborhoods, but it must be paired with robust oversight, transparent policies and real consequences for abuse.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.